This message was originally sent to the international-l listserv on February 8, 2024.

Dear International Students and Scholars,

The tax filing season has begun and if you earned income in the U.S. in 2023 you are responsible to file a tax return by April 15, 2024.  Pay special attention to the information below.  The VITA program at UConn and Sprintax software are available to students and scholars to help you fill out required tax forms.  If you did not earn any income, but were present in the U.S. skip down to the bottom for instructions on submitting the 8843 form.

• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is an in-person tax preparation clinic run by trained UConn student volunteers and they will help you fill out your tax return documents. Register with the VITA program at the link below.  The VITA program will begin scheduling appointments in mid-February.  Please register with the UConn VITA website if you wish to be notified when the appointment calendar is open.  https://accounting.business.uconn.edu/vita-program/
• Sprintax is a software that specializes in nonresident alien tax returns.  UConn can provide you with a code to use to file your federal tax return for free but there is an additional fee to file your CT state return. To learn more visit: https://isss.uconn.edu/taxes/ email international@uconn.edu with your name and student ID number.
• UConn Income Statements (W-2 form) will be available online at https://ess.uconn.edu/ navigate to Payroll > View W-2/W-C Information
  • If you are no longer employed at UConn and cannot log in to https://ess.uconn.edu/ please visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/
• If you had on campus employment and claimed the benefits of a tax treaty you will receive a 1042-S from the State of Connecticut in CORE CT by late February 2024.  If you are no longer employed at UConn and cannot log in to https://ess.uconn.edu/ please visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/. The 1042-S will be mailed to the home address listed in Core-CT.  You will need to wait to file your income taxes until after you receive this form. If you do not receive this form by February 29, 2024 visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/. 
• If you will be receiving a 2023 Form 1042-S for a scholarship or fellowship, UConn’s Tax & Compliance Office notified you by email on Thursday, January 25, 2024.  Check your email! Your Form 1042-S for a scholarship or fellowship will be mailed to the mailing address that is listed in Student Admin.  If that is not the correct address, please contact taxcompliance@uconn.edu  as soon as possible with your correct mailing address.

If you did not earn income in the U.S., but are a nonresident for tax purposes there is still one tax form you must file, the form 8843 – see below for information on how you can learn to file the form 8843.  https://accounting.business.uconn.edu/undergraduate/vita-program/form-8843-filing-instructions/

Watch a video with instructions on how to submit the form 8843: https://isss.uconn.edu/taxes/

Best regards,

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

Dear Students and Scholars,

The Center for International Student & Scholars in Storrs will be open and staff will be working during winter break with the following exceptions:

• CISS will be closed on 12/19/2023 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
• CISS will be closed  from 12/25/23-01/01/24.  Be sure to submit any urgent requests by Wednesday, 12/20/23, otherwise requests will be processed upon our return on Tuesday, 1/2/24.

Regional Campus Students
The ISSS Hartford and ISSS Stamford offices are closed from 12/13/23 – 1/02/24.  Students from any regional campus can reach out to the CISS in Storrs for assistance by calling 860-486-3855 or emailing international@uconn.edu with any questions or concerns.

Storrs Campus Students
Will you be on-campus during winter break?  Two things: 1) Don’t forget to sign up for winter break housing with ResLife. 2) If you will be on-campus, let us know.  CISS is planning the following activities to keep you busy and connected with other students.

• December 20: 3:00 PM CISS Ana & Hazuki – Snacks, games, Gingerbread style house construction contest
• December 21: Learn to Knit w/ Arthur 4:00-6:00 PM
• December 22: Lights in Motion with Ana 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, van
• December 29: Lights in Motion with Ana 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM (If more interest)
• January 3, 2023: TBD
• First Thursday: January 4th: Paint with Afra
• January 5: Spare Time (Vernon) with Ana, 3:00 PM, van
• January 8: Post-Completion OPT Workshop (Virtual) with Arthur @ 4:30 pm
• January 11: Learn to Knit w/ Arthur 4:00-6:00 PM

There are lots of community events happening all over Connecticut during winter break.  Check out these events:
Hartford area- https://ctvisit.com/events?field_date_value2%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&field_date_value%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&keys=hartford&selected_region=global

Stamford area – https://ctvisit.com/events?field_date_value2%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&field_date_value%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&keys=stamford&selected_region=global

Storrs area – https://www.mansfieldct.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=31

Reminders:
Report any international travel using the Travel Information Record.
Don’t forget to be back on campus for the start of spring term.  Classes begin on January 16, 2024. 

Have a great break!

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

New Location: Center for International Students & Scholars

This announcement was originally sent out on April 19. 

Dear Students,
Greetings from ISSS! This message is going out to all students, but only applies to those students graduating in Spring 23.

Congratulations!  If you are graduating in Spring 23, ISSS will need to shorten your I-20 or DS-2019 end date to the end of the semester.  Your new end date will be 05/06/2023. PLEASE NOTE: your last day of on-campus work permission will be 05/06/2023.  You must stop working on-campus after this date.  Your grace period begins the day after on 05/07/2023.  If your most recent form I-20/DS-2019 has a future program end date, it will no longer be valid. If there is any chance that you will not finish by 05/06/2023 you must contact your ISSS advisor before this date.

F-1 Students:

Be advised that you have a 60-day grace period to remain in the United States before your F-1 status ends.  Your 60-day grace period starts from the date you completed your program as indicated above.

J-1 Students:
Be advised that you have a 30-day grace period to remain in the United States before your J-1 status ends.  Your 30-day grace period starts from the date you completed your program as indicated above.

Graduate Assistants Completing in Spring 23:

You can read more about the policy for GA’s last day of work here. This was shared with all students at the beginning of the semester.  Please work with your supervisor to ensure

that you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before May 06, 2023. You will still receive your full GA stipend for spring 2023, but the time from May 6 through May 22, 2023 will be treated as time off.

To process your F-1 SEVIS record, ISSS needs you to take one of the following actions before the end of your grace period:

1. Prepare to depart the U.S.- submit Program Update-Compete/Shorten Form
2. Request another form I-20 or DS-2019 to begin a new degree program at UConn – submit Continuing Student I-20/DS-2019 Request;
3. Transfer to another school to start a new program-submit SEVIS Transfer Out Request
4. Report a change in your non-immigrant status from F-1 to another visa status – submit Program Update-Change Visa Status Notification
5. Apply for work permission to stay in the U.S. and work in your major field.

F-1 Students: Apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the U.S. in your major field.  You must apply for OPT before you depart the U.S.

J-1 Students: Apply for Academic Training (AT) to work in the U.S. in your major field.  You must apply for Academic Training before your DS-2019 expires.

Please contact your international advisor if you require further assistance. You can reach us at (860) 486-3855 or by email at international@uconn.edu

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  We hope that all of our spring graduates found their time at UConn academically satisfying and personally fulfilling. Good luck with your future endeavors!

Best wishes,
___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

ISSS on the Storrs campus has moved to a new building.

Our new home is the Center for International Students and Scholars located at 2019 Hillside Rd. Storrs, CT 06269. Look for the Center for International Students and Scholars at maps.uconn.edu.

The office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00-5:00.  We look forward to seeing you soon.