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Tax Department

Office of the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Sprintax Returns - Annual Tax Filing

GW has partnered with Sprintax for online tax preparation software Sprintax Returns to make U.S. federal tax filing obligation easier for you. It is an online tax return preparation software that assists Tax Non-Residents in their U.S. federal and state tax filings.  The cost for federal U.S. filings is covered by the University. It will guide you through the tax filing process through a series of questions about your situation. It will provide instructions on how and where to mail your forms.

Sprintax Returns is for the GW international population treated as nonresident aliens (NRAs) that had income during the current tax year (salary, stipend, prize, etc.). You must currently have a relationship with GW (ex. student, scholar, employee, etc.) or have had a relationship with GW in the prior year. The access that GW purchased will prepare your federal forms for free (1040-NR and 8843). Additional services (PDF), such as state tax filings or W-7 forms, is available for a small fee paid directly to Sprintax.

For the access code, please email [email protected] requesting Sprintax access. Include your GWid, and note what type of income you had during the tax year in the email. The access code allows for preparation of the federal forms noted above for free, so enter it when requested at the payment stage. Once you've registered, please direct questions to Sprintax Returns through their 24/7 live chat facility or emailing at [email protected]. When you have the access code and are ready to begin, head to the main page at Sprintax.

Please make sure you have all applicable tax reporting documents before you start preparation of your returns.

Note those who did not have income during the filing tax year but who still need to file a Form 8843 due to their nonresident alien status should use the 8843 example (PDF) instead of accessing Sprintax Returns.

Sprintax 2024 Filing Season and OPT Webinars

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinars:

In these tax webinars, international students, scholars and professionals will be run through everything they need to know about nonresident tax for the 2024 tax season. Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, State returns, implications of misfiling as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Overview for OPT/CPT (A)

Topics covered will include residency for tax purposes, tax liabilities when on OPT/CPT and pre-employment tax forms when on OPT/CPT. The Sprintax team will also provide an overview of Sprintax Forms which can be used to prepare your pre-OPT/CPT employment tax documents