Personal taxes
Guidance for foreign students and scholars on tax filing requirements, treaty benefits, and withholding exemptions for scholarships.
This evergreen guide explains how foreign students and scholars navigate tax filing, leverage treaty benefits, and apply withholding exemptions for scholarships, considering income types, residency status, and university employment policies.
July 15, 2025 - 3 min Read
As an international student or visiting scholar, understanding tax filing requirements begins with accurately determining your residency status for tax purposes. In the United States, the Internal Revenue Service distinguishes between nonresident aliens and resident aliens for tax purposes, with substantial implications for which forms you file and what income is taxable. Scholarship and fellowship funds may be tax-exempt in part or in full, depending on their use and your status. Salary from teaching or research appointments, as well as stipends, may have different withholding rules. Start by reviewing your immigration documentation, the duration of your program, and any internal university guidelines that affect tax withholding and reporting.
To navigate withholding and exemptions effectively, obtain and preserve key documents early. Gather your passport, visa information, Form I-94 or I-94 arrival record, and your university-issued fellowship or employment letters. These documents help determine whether portions of your scholarship are taxable and whether any withholding exemptions apply. If your home country has a tax treaty with the United States, you may be eligible to exclude some income or reduce withholding on certain scholarships, stipends, or teaching income. Consulting your campus international office and a qualified tax professional can clarify which treaty benefits are available to you and how to claim them correctly.
Strategies to identify treaty benefits and properly apply exemptions.
Residency status forms the backbone of your tax obligations and treaty considerations. Nonresident aliens typically file Form 1040-NR, reporting only U.S. source income unless tax treaties provide exemptions. Resident aliens file Form 1040 like U.S. citizens and are taxed on worldwide income. The determination relies on substantial presence or specific visa-based rules, not merely the length of stay. Scholarships and fellowships labeled as stipends may be excluded if they are used for tuition, required fees, or course-related expenses. However, portions covering living expenses often count as taxable income. Your status can shift during your program, so reassessing yearly is prudent.
Publications and university policies influence your practical obligations. While a treaty may provide relief, you must still file correctly and timely to avoid penalties or misapplied benefits. Your university’s payroll department will treat scholarship funds differently depending on whether they are considered compensation or a qualified scholarship. In some cases, students may receive tax withholding exemptions for certain scholarship components or for work performed on campus. Understanding how your campus handles payroll, stipends, and taxable wages is essential, because inaccurate withholding can lead to unexpected tax bills later in the year.
Practical steps for documenting income, expenses, and filings.
First, check the current U.S. tax treaty between your home country and the United States, as treaties are frequently updated and have specific article provisions. Many treaties provide exemptions for scholarships, fellowships, or certain types of income under particular conditions. The key is to verify whether the income is explicitly covered by the treaty and whether you meet residency criteria for the treaty article in force. The process often requires submission of forms or statements with your tax return or withholding requests. Your campus international office can guide you through the official forms, deadlines, and documentation needed to claim treaty benefits accurately.
Next, determine if any portion of your scholarship or fellowship is taxable. In many cases, a scholarship used for tuition, required fees, or course-related expenses does not count as taxable income, while stipends covering living expenses do. If you perform teaching or research duties, those wages are usually taxable and subject to withholding unless a treaty or internal policy provides relief. Keep precise records of how funds are spent and which portions are applied to qualified expenses. Accurate record-keeping simplifies tax filing and helps justify any exemptions or treaty-based relief you claim.
Navigating reporting deadlines and campus support resources.
Estimating your tax liability early reduces surprises at the season’s end. Use reputable tax preparation software or consult a tax professional familiar with international students and scholars. Gather W-2s if you have earned wages, 1042-S if eligible scholarship or fellowship income is reported, and any Form 1099s for other income. Record all sources of U.S. income, including stipends, scholarships, teaching earnings, and research stipends. For nonresident filers, be mindful of effectively connected income and fixed, determinable, annual, or periodic income categories. If your treaty benefits apply, ensure you have the correct documentation ready for submission with your return.
When you qualify for withholding exemptions, you must understand how to apply them properly. Withholding exemptions reduce the amount of tax withheld from wages or stipends. To initiate exemptions, you typically submit appropriate forms to your payroll or bursar’s office, explaining your residency status and treaty eligibility. Do not assume automatic exemption; confirm with your university and the tax authorities. If you later change status or your treaty position changes, you may need to adjust withholding. Timely updates prevent over- or under-withholding and help you manage cash flow during the academic year while remaining compliant with tax laws.
Long-term planning and staying compliant during studies and beyond.
Deadlines vary between campuses and national tax rules but generally align with federal filing timelines. Start preparing early to collect income statements, receipts for qualified expenses, and any correspondence about treaty clauses. Your campus international office often offers workshops or one-on-one guidance to help you understand form requirements and documentation needs. Be proactive if you receive notices from the IRS or state tax authorities; small errors in filing can cascade into penalties or delayed refunds. By coordinating with your university’s tax resources, you gain access to specialized guidance on treaty articles, exemption eligibility, and filing strategies tailored to your program’s duration and your income mix.
Beyond federal requirements, consider state tax rules that may apply to your income. Some states tax scholarship funds or nonresidents’ wages differently than federal rules do. State residency determinations can depend on your physical presence, the location of your program, and your intent to remain for a defined period. Ensure you understand mutual obligations across jurisdictions, including state withholdings and any forms required by the state tax agency. Coordinating federal and state filings through your university’s office can simplify compliance and avoid conflicting obligations across different tax systems.
As you approach the end of your program, reassessing your tax status remains important. If you transition to a different visa category or your program ends, your tax situation can change significantly. You may become a resident for tax purposes, triggering a different filing requirement and potentially altering treaty access. Keep your documents organized, including I-20s, visa stamps, admission letters, and any correspondence about tax status or treaty eligibility. When in doubt, seek professional guidance to determine whether your status will shift and what filing forms or treaty claims will apply in the next phase of your academic or research career.
Maintaining ongoing diligence ensures future filings stay smooth and accurate. Set reminders for annual tax deadlines, track changes to treaty provisions, and review income sources each year. If you receive scholarship renewals or new stipends, reassess eligibility for exemptions or reduced withholding. Your tax situation may evolve with research outcomes, collaborations, or changes in funding. By actively engaging with your university’s international office and consulting qualified tax professionals, you protect yourself from surprises, and you maximize the benefits available through treaties, exemptions, and compliant reporting throughout your academic journey.
