Personal Finances for International Scholars

All international students and scholars who are nonresidents for tax purposes must complete documentation for the IRS every year. Additionally, any nonresident for tax purposes who has U.S.-sourced income is subject to taxation and must file a federal tax return. 

A tax return is a compilation of various tax forms that compares what an international student or scholar paid in taxes against what the U.S. government calculates the individual should have paid in taxes during the prior calendar year. The tax year runs from January 1st through December 31st, and the previous year's taxes are due on April 15. All international scholars are required to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) to maintain their visa status and file taxes in the United States.

The different tax statuses are resident alien for tax purposes and nonresident alien for tax purposes.

These tax statuses are significant because they determine what U.S. tax laws you will follow. The tax laws for the nonresident aliens for tax purposes are much different from the tax laws for resident aliens for tax purposes. Filing under the incorrect tax designation may result in taxes owed back to the government, so it is important to know your status to file correctly. These tax statuses are not the same as your current immigration status or your Texas residency. 

The International Student and Scholars Office can provide specialized assistance and resources for International Scholars regarding taxes, such as determining your residency status and resources for filing. For extra support with filing or understanding your tax status, the International Students and Scholars Office is also available for advising.

The National Postdoctoral Association has created an Overview of Tax Issues Resource that can answer many common questions about taxes for Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers.

All payroll payments at the university are subject to federal employment taxes. Read more about how payroll taxes are calculated.

Modifying your payroll information, making payment elections, direct deposit and more are part of your pay profile in Workday.

Visit the IRS website for tax information regarding scholarships, fellowship grants and other grants.

Finding housing and budgeting for a new city can be a daunting task. Here are some easy-to-use resources to help you find housing within your budget and calculate your expected cost of living in Austin.

This is a great resource to start your housing search, especially if you are looking for a space close to campus.

This tool allows you to compare cost of living between major U.S. cities across a variety of metrics.

This tool was created by the Division of Student Affairs with some helpful tips on what to look for when signing a lease.