International Student Employees

Read About Getting a Campus and Part-Time Job

Applying for a Social Security Number (SSN)

If you are an F-1 student, you must have verification of employment before you can get an SSN. Follow these steps to get the verification you need:

1. Your department completes the form Social Security Letter Request and submits it to:

            Carlos Gallardo
            Human Resources
            Townsend Hall
            South Campus

2. Human Resources' International Services will return a letter to the department

3. The student employee takes the letter to International Student Services (ISS):

            International Student Services
            201 Talbert Hall
            North Campus

4. ISS provides the student with documentation to apply for a SSN

Read More About Applying for a Social Security Number

Federal and New York State Taxes for International Student Employees

International employees at UB are required to pay taxes on all or a portion of their income and may have different requirements and regulations than a U.S. citizen.

Federal and New York State (NYS) Taxes

When you first associate with UB, complete the federal and New York state withholding tax forms so that UB can withhold the correct tax from each payment.

  • If you are considered a Resident Alien (RA) for tax purposes, complete these forms the same as a U.S. citizen
  • If you are considered a Nonresident Alien (NRA) for tax purposes, complete these forms as follows:
    • Check the Single box in step 1c (even if you are married) on the W-4 and sign
    • Check the Single box (even if you are married) on the IT-2104
    • Enter the number 1 on line 1 of the IT-2104 (state) form and sign
Complete a Federal Withholding (W-4) Form
Complete a New York State Withholding Form (IT-2104)
Tax Forms

Submit completed forms to your supervisor.

Social Security and Medicare Tax (FICA)

You may be exempt from FICA taxes if you meet one (1) of the following criteria:

  • You are considered a Nonresident Alien (NRA) for tax purposes     
  • You are enrolled full time as a student at UB
FICA

Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax is a U.S. federal payroll (or employment) tax imposed on both employees and employers to fund Social Security and Medicare — federal programs that provide benefits for retirees, the disabled and children of deceased workers.

Filing an Income Tax Report

Who Has To Report Income To the U.S. (Federal) Government

You are required to file an income tax return with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if you meet all the following criteria:

  • In the United States during any portion of a calendar year (even for a few days)
  • Had F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2 status
  • Even if you had no U.S. income

Documents That Report Your Income

UB will send one or both of these wage and tax statements to you:

  • W-2 for income on which you paid tax
  • 1042-S for income which was tax-exempt under a tax treaty or for nonqualified scholarship, fellowship or honoraria income
Your Tax Statements

· Are mailed to you so update your address when you move or leave UB

· W-2 forms arrive by mail by the end of January for the preceding tax year

· 1042-S forms arrive by mail in March for the preceding year

 

Reporting to the U.S. Government

Eligibility

UB sponsors the online application, Sprintax, for scholars, students and faculty to prepare federal income tax reports at no charge

Tax Program Availability

Tax program is available for current tax year only

Each spring UB will announce the availability of the new tax program for  and how to get the access code.  

This system is designed exclusively for nonresident aliens to prepare U.S. federal income tax forms using tax forms:

  • 1040NR
  • 1040NR-EZ
  • 8843

If you meet eligibility criteria, but are NOT currently an employee or student, contact UB's international employment specialists to get an access code for the tax service.

Reporting to the New York State Government

Who Has To Report Income To the New York State Government

You should file an income tax return with NYS if you meet the following criteria:

  • Were employed by UB
  • Had F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2 status
  • Want to claim a refund

We recommend that you prepare your U.S. (federal) income tax report first. Federal and state reports use the same income data and depend on the same declarations about your personal status.

UB's supported online tax preparation service now prepares state income tax forms for a small fee. If you choose not to use it, you can get assistance from any of the following: