The University of Colorado International Tax Office partners with Sprintax [3], using Sprintax Calculus throughout the year and Sprintax Returns during tax filing season, to support international employees and students in their personal tax filing obligations.  A helpful discussion about the purpose of and differences between these two products is available here [4].

The International Tax Office will share an access code via direct email for Sprintax’s online tax preparation tool, Sprintax Returns, free of charge. These access codes will enable nonresident alien employees and students in F or J status to file their 2025 federal tax return.

Using Sprintax Returns

To take advantage of Sprintax’s tax preparation software, international employees should watch for emails from the International Tax Office in February and March that will include the access code.

Sprintax Returns is a user-friendly resource designed to help international employees and students:

• Determine resident or nonresident U.S. tax residency status and filing requirements.
• Prepare necessary tax return documents including Forms 1040-NR and 8843, which can then be printed, signed and mailed for filing. (Some users may be able to file electronically.)
• Ensure all applicable tax treaties are applied.
• Find assistance and information on Sprintax’s FAQ page [5], blog [6], YouTube channel [7] and through email access to Sprintax tax professionals.

Visit the International Tax website [8] anytime throughout the year to learn more about filing obligations.

Important forms for 2025 taxes

In the coming weeks, certain international employees and students will receive Forms W-2 and/or 1042-S from CU.

Form W-2 is issued to any employee who receives taxable wages from CU.

Nonresident alien taxpayers whose wages are eligible for a tax treaty exemption, or who are recipients of non-qualified scholarship, will be issued a 1042-S form.

Tax year 2025 1042-S forms for employees and students will be available electronically in Sprintax Calculus. Paper forms will be mailed only to individuals who have not provided consent to receive their 1042-S form electronically through Sprintax Calculus. International employees should watch for an email in February from CUintltax-noreply@sprintax.com [9] with notification that 1042-S forms are available.

Individuals with tax treaty exempt income or with taxable scholarship should wait to receive Form 1042-S before filing personal income tax returns to avoid the need to amend incomplete returns.

Questions? Reach out to the International Tax Office

The International Tax Office is dedicated to assisting with navigation of the U.S. tax system.

If an international employee has a question regarding their specific case and/or circumstances, please ask them to attend the International Tax Office’s virtual office hours [10] or email intltax@cu.edu [11].