News & Alert
Announcements from the OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES (OISSS)
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Tax Return Filing Deadline is Tuesday, April 15!
All international students in F-1 or J-1 status must file a U.S. income tax return each year, even if the student did not work in the U.S. in the tax filing year. Non-resident students without employment must complete Form 8843. Students who were employed or who have received scholarship/fellowship income in the U.S. during 2024 must complete both a federal return and applicable state return(s).
The tax return filing deadline for the 2024 tax year is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Information on the annual income tax return filing can be found on the OISSS website. Take some time now to gather your 2024 income tax summary statements (W-2, and/or 1042-S, and/or 1099 etc) and follow the instructions on the OISSS website.
Additionally, please view the Income Tax Preparation Resources for further information on filing your annual U.S. Federal and State income taxes.
If you would like to schedule a one time mini-consultation with an international tax specialist, make sure to do so before Friday, April 11th. It is not possible to schedule same day appointments.
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SPRINTAX-Returns Webinar Recording
SPRINTAX-Returns recently gave a U.S. Non-Resident Federal and State Income Tax Preparation Webinar for Brown University on March 4th 2025. If you missed the event, you can still register for it to receive a video of the recording, or you can register for one of their upcoming Income Tax Preparation webinars.
See the Sprintax-Returns Webinar Schedule.
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Immigration Attorney Presentation
Thursday, April 17th 3:00PM-5:00PM
Immigration attorney Elizabeth Goss will provide a virtual informational session, geared toward students and scholars, on nonimmigrant employment with special emphasis on visa options after optional practical training (F-1) or academic training (J-1). Ms. Goss will discuss various types of working visas and applicable filing requirements, and update participants on current H-1B provisions and the petition process for H-1B visas. Other work visas and employment-based permanent residency (green card) will be introduced as well.
RSVP required to register and submit questions prior to Wednesday, April 16th at 12 noon. The session will be recorded and made available on the OISSS website.
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Scam Alert Reminder
Students have recently reported scams involving fraudulent claims from immigration services or the IRS demanding money via text or phone call, as well as in-person check cashing scams. Common scams are related to the Internal Revenue Service and Immigration:
https://oisss.brown.edu/working-and-living/taxes/scam-alerts
https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams
https://disb.dc.gov/page/ice-agent-imposter-scam
https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud
The Brown Department of Public Safety (DPS) lists helpful Safety Tips pertaining to Scam Awareness on their website at https://dps.brown.edu/crime-prevention/safety-tips. If you believe that you have been targeted or have become the victim of a scam, please contact DPS.
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Immigration Documentation to Carry
As a reminder, we recommend carrying hard copies of your immigration documentation with you at all times. These documents should include copies of your:
Most recent I-94 entry record (printed out from the CBP website)
Valid passport
F-1/J-1 visa (unless you are a Canadian citizen)
I-20 or DS-2019 (with travel endorsement)
Enrolled student: the signature is valid for 12 months or until the program end date on the I-20, whichever is first
OPT/STEM OPT: the signature is valid for 6 months or until the expiration of your EAD, whichever is first
Employment Authorization Document (EAD card), if on post-completion OPT
Evidence of employment, if on post-completion OPT
It is best to have these documents in paper form should you need to present them as evidence of your lawful immigration status. Make sure that your original passport, visa and EAD (if applicable) are readily accessible to you.
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DHS Alien Registration Requirement
Beginning on April 11, 2025, all non-US citizens are required by Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to register with the Department of Homeland Security and, if required, provide their fingerprints. Regulations specify that this registration is accomplished via Form I-94 for nonimmigrants (temporary visa holders) and Form I-551 (the Permanent Resident Card or “green card”) for immigrants. Most visa holders have already complied with the process if they applied abroad at a US consulate or embassy. For more information, please visit the OISSS website.
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Reminder for Graduating F-1 Students: Apply for OPT
If you will be completing your degree program this May and you plan to work in the U.S., now is the time to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)! It’s a good idea to apply as early as possible since it can take 3+ months for USCIS to approve applications. Please find instructions outlined here: brown.edu/go/optapply
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