GCC ISO offers Sprintax Non-Resident Tax Preparation to help international students on F, J, M, or Q visas with tax preparation and IRS compliance.

Sprintax may not be suitable for a small number of our international students who have been in the United States for longer than 5 years. All international students can log-on to Sprintax to determine eligibility.  

Eligible users can get $5 off the regular federal filing fee with our discount code. See instructions in the section below.

Using Sprintax is easy! For a general overview of how to use Sprintax, please click here or watch this video.

Create or log in to your Sprintax account at sprintax.com/glendale. Sprintax will guide you through questions to generate the correct forms and check if you’re eligible to use the software. If you need any help, contact Sprintax directly - ISO staff cannot assist with third party software.

You may also complete Form 8843 on your own—use the IRS link in the helpful links section below.

All GCC international students may access Sprintax for the following:

• Determine your “residency for tax purposes”
• Non-resident federal tax preparation
• Built-in knowledge of over 350 different types of tax deductions
• 65 international tax treaty agreements and exemptions covered
• Maximum legal tax refunds for federal, state & medicare (*Please see note regarding state taxes below).
• US tax compliance guaranteed

Students who earned income in 2024: You may use our discount code to receive $5 off your federal tax filing. 

Students who did NOT earn income in 2024: If you did not earn income in 2024, you only need to file Form 8843. You may prepare Tax Form 8843 on your own if you wish. You will find a link to the IRS page in the helpful links section below. 

State Tax Preparation: Sprintax can also conduct non-resident state tax preparation, for an additional fee. The majority of GCC international students will not have to file state taxes.  Please use Sprintax to determine your State Tax Filing responsibility.

ITIN Application Information: For students who are not eligible for a Social Security Number, Sprintax can help prepare the ITIN application, for an additional fee.

GCC ISO offers Sprintax access for current students and students on OPT. To get $5 off federal filing, submit the Discount Request Form by Sunday, April 6, 2025. No codes will be issued after this date.

The discount code does not apply to state tax filing. If needed, you can choose to pay Sprintax an additional fee to file state taxes.

If you did not earn income in 2024, you only need to file the Form 8843 by accessing Sprintax. You may prepare Tax Form 8843 on your own if you wish (without using Sprintax). You will find a link to the IRS page in the helpful links section below. 

Sprintax provides extensive, easy to access support* in the following ways:

• Live Chat - you must first use "Stacy," the virtual agent. You will be connected to a live representative if your question is unable to be answered by "Stacy."
• FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions page, addressing Sprintax questions, as well as general tax questions)
• Sprintax Blog - searchable by keyword

*It's much easier to reach Sprintax early in tax season, before things get busy near Tax Day. You must use the automated system first - if Stacy does not contain your answer, you can connect with a live customer service representative. We recommend preparing your taxes as soon as you are able.

This list covers the most commonly needed documents. Additional documents may be needed based on your situation.

• Passport
• US Entry and Exit Dates for current and all past visits to the US; access your I-94 travel history online
• All tax forms (if you received any), including Forms W-2, 1042-S and/or 1099
  • Note: if you worked at GCC, you may contact the Student Employment Services office for any questions about the issuance of your W-2. 
• Visa/Immigration Status information, including Form DS-2019 (for J visa holders) or Form I-20 (for F visa holders)
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• If you do not have an ITIN, Sprintax can help you get one!
• If you are using Sprintax for State Tax Returns(s) preparation only, you will need a copy of your already-prepared Federal Tax Return (for the current and previous years, if you filed any)
• Please note that you do not need Form 1098-T, unless you received a scholarship that provided more money than your tuition costs. This is called a taxable scholarship. If you believe you qualify for one, and do not receive your form by the end of February, you may direct any questions to the Tuition Office. ISO has no part in this process and cannot tell you if you should have been issued a form or not. 

If Sprintax determines that you are to be classified as a “resident-for-tax-purposes”, and therefore ineligible to use Sprintax, you may consider the following options:

• Use tax preparation software intended for US citizens or permanent residents (Click here for a comparison of major vendors.)
• Access free assistance through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).
• Visit a local tax preparation office. (Click here for descriptions of these type of services).

Please note: Only use the options in this section if Sprintax determines that you are a “resident-for-tax-purposes.” Using the options listed in this section as a non-resident may not take your international student status into account, and may incorrectly calculate your tax liability.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – International Tax Payer Page

The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Tax Form 8843 page 

Sprintax Non-Resident Tax Preparation Software (for all students)

Sprintax Frequently Asked Questions – International Student Taxes

California State Taxes – Filing Information

Please remember, ISO staff cannot answer ANY tax preparation questions. Please attend a Sprintax webinar and contact Sprintax and/or a tax professional with any questions.