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International students at Bethel will need to file taxes each year in the U.S. regardless of whether or not you earned income.

While Bethel doesn’t have the resources to help you file your taxes, we can direct you to resources to get your questions answered. You can also visit the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) website for more information.

Who Files Taxes

All international students must file tax forms each year, even if you did not work or were only in the U.S. for one day.

Deadline for Filing Taxes

Tax forms are due each year on April 15. You should have all the documents you need to file your taxes sometime in February or March.

Filing Taxes if You Did Not Earn Income

If you did not earn any money (other than bank interest) in the prior year, here is the process you must follow.

  1. Fill out your Form 8843 through the IRS.

    All the forms that you need to file taxes are available through the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).

    If you have been in the United States as a student, teacher, or trainee for 5 calendar years or longer, you may be required to file your taxes in a different status. Please carefully review the information in part III on page 3 of Form 8843 and on the IRS website to determine whether you can still claim exemption as a student.

  2. Make a copy of all your documents for your records.

  3. Mail your completed Form 8843 to:

    Department of the Treasury
    Internal Revenue Service Center
    Austin, TX 73301-0215

    If you have changed your visa status, be sure to include copies of your old visa and your new visa (or other documentation proving your approved Change of Status) with your Form 8843.

Filing Taxes if You Earned Income

If you earned money (other than bank interest) in the prior year, you must file your taxes with the federal and state government.

Federal Taxes

  1. Complete your Form 8843 (see filing instructions above).

  2. Determine if you need to file a Form 1040NR-EZ or a Form 1040NR.

    All the forms that you need to file taxes are available through the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).

    Most F-1 and J-1 students will file Form 1040NR-EZ. To determine if you are eligible to file Form 1040NR-EZ, please read, “Can I use Form 1040NR-EZ,” on the first page of the 1040NR-EZ instructions. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you should file Form 1040 NR.

  3. Complete your Form 1040NR-EZ or Form 1040NR.

    If you earned less than $3650 and you had no tax withheld, you may not be required to file additional forms. See the 1040NR-EZ instructions for more information.

  4. Make a copy of all documents to keep in a file for reference for completing next year’s taxes.

  5. Mail all forms to:

    Department of the Treasury
    Internal Revenue Service Center
    Austin, TX 73301-0215

    Visit the IRS website for more information.

Minnesota State Taxes

  1. Find the MNRI (Minnesota Income of Nonresidents and Part-year residents) on the Minnesota State Revenue website.

  2. Complete your M1NR.

  3. Make a copy of your Federal Tax Return (Form 1040NR-EZ or 1040NR).

  4. Make a copy of all documents to keep in a file for reference for completing next year’s taxes.

  5. Mail all forms to:

    MN Department of Revenue
    Individual Income Tax
    600 North Robert Street
    St. Paul, MN 55101

Visit the Minnesota State Tax website for more information.