Whether you’re new to the U.S. — or just new to CU — international employees have unique concerns. Whether you have questions about your pay, the U.S. tax system or your own tax obligations, the International Tax Office is here to make sure you can meet your payroll and tax obligations with knowledge and confidence. This section provides information for both nonresident alien and resident alien members of the CU community.
Step 1: Visit our orientation resources
We offer both a video course and a PDF quick reference guide to familiarize newly hired international employees with their payroll and tax responsibilities. Both of these valuable resources offer an overview of the important onboarding tasks required of all new international employees.
Step 2: Complete your Calculus Profile
Within approximately 14 days of starting at CU, you will receive an email from Sprintax Calculus inviting you to login to web-based Sprintax Calculus to complete your profile. Details provided through Calculus will drive taxation of your wages including determining your eligibility for certain tax exemptions.
Step 3: Review information on your U.S. tax responsibilities
Once you've completed your Sprintax Calculus profile to establish your U.S. tax residency status, please use these resources as a reference and reminder about your tax filing responsibilities and more.
Click the tile to the right that applies to your U.S. tax residency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a nonresident alien (NRA) and a resident alien (RA)?
What is the substantial presence test (SPT)?
What does the International Tax Office do? When do I need to work with them?
What is the difference between a CU International Employee and a CU Global Worker?
CU International Employees
- Resident or nonresident alien working inside the United States and paid through the Human Capital Management (HCM) system
- Subject to U.S. taxation, labor and employment laws
- *Compliance resource: International Tax
CU Global Worker
- Any employee working outside the United States is expected to paid through the Employer of Record (EOR): Global PEO Services
- Subject to taxation, labor and employment laws in the country in which they are working
- *Compliance resource: Global PEO Services
CU is not a global employer and is unable to service employees working from outside the U.S. Remote work from abroad may be possible through partnership with Global PEO Services, to ensure the university's compliance with foreign tax requirements, but requires careful advanced consideration and commitment by the hiring department. In addition to exposing the university to compliance risk, use of the inappropriate compliance resource may have significant negative tax implications for the employee or worker. See updated guidance regarding taxation of nonresident aliens working outside the U.S. for additional information.