Please read this information as a guide to help you with your studies and maintain valid immigration status. The information below applies to international students at all campuses.
Contents
- Daylight Saving Time begins March 10
- Be alert to scams via phone call or your WSU email!
- Your country’s flag pin for graduation
- Tax time! Sprintax software available
- Daylight Saving Time begins March 10
At 2 a.m. on March 10, Daylight Saving Time begins.
What does this mean? It means we “lose” an hour. While digital clocks and cell phones should automatically reset, please make sure that you set all analog (nondigital) clocks, including watches and other nondigital devices, forward one hour on Saturday night.
From March 10 to Nov. 3, we designate time in the Pacific time zone as PDT.
For students currently located in a time zone without a time change, please note your classes as of March 14 will start one hour earlier for the rest of the semester.
- Scam alert via phone call or your WSU email!
Scam calls are common, and an international student from WSU reported to us one attempt that happened to her. The student received a call from caller ID U.S. Secret Service and the caller asked that the student give their alien registration number, passport number, or other identifying information otherwise 911 would be dispatched to her house. The student knew to inform the caller that they would need to talk with an international student advisor before providing any information. However, for pressure, the caller then said that 911 would be at their house within the hour if they did not comply. The student hung up the phone and contacted us immediately.
Do NOT provide any personal information or payment over the phone to individuals claiming to be from U.S. government agencies (IRS, USCIS, etc.). Feel free to email our office for questions if you receive such phone calls.
Another common scam is receiving a job opportunity email (part-time or full-time) that prompts you to click on a link to see it. Do NOT click on any links! All students and employees usually receive these in their WSU email and we have received reports of increased attempts lately. Please ignore such messages as options for work on campus are usually directed through the WSU website and WSU Handshake. Read more information about scams.
- Your country’s flag pin for graduation
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! In connection with the Graduation Celebration, IP-International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is offering a graduation flag pin to all international students expected to graduate this spring and who complete a Program Completion eform in myPassport by April 5. The flag on the pin will be that of your home country.
Pullman campus students must pick up their pin at Bryan Hall 206 by no later than 4 p.m. each day between April 22-26. Students outside Pullman will receive their pins by mail if they provide a mailing address. Email our office with any questions.
- Tax time! Sprintax software available
ISSS offers free access to tax preparation software called Sprintax, which is specifically designed for international students and scholars. The deadline for filing 2023 taxes is Monday, April 15.
To get Sprintax, log into myPassport and select ‘Tax Software,’ then fill out the form to request access. A unique verification code will be emailed to you at your WSU email within three business days.
Did you have NO income in 2023?
International students and scholars who did not receive U.S.-based income must still file tax Form 8843 and Sprintax can assist you with that. Just log into myPassport.wsu.edu and select ‘Tax Software’ to fill out the form to request access to Sprintax. A unique verification code will be emailed to you at your WSU email within three business days.
You will need to print and mail your completed Form 8843 to Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215
Did you have income in 2023?
International students/scholars employed at WSU in 2023 will receive a report of wage earnings called Form W-2 from the Payroll Services Office. Students should use this form to complete and submit their tax return.
- Did you receive a scholarship for room and board or are you using a tax treaty benefit? This means you will receive Form 1042-S. The Payroll Services Office must issue Form 1042-S no later than March 15 and it will be mailed to the address you provided in myWSU. IMPORTANT: You must wait until you receive Form 1042-S to file your taxes.
Sprintax webinars to prepare for your tax filing!
Tax questions? Sprintax offers YouTube videos, a blog, and tax webinars (listed below).
Upcoming webinar dates, times, and registration links
- Wednesday, March 20 | 1-2 p.m. PDT | Register for the March 20 webinar here
- Wednesday, March 27 | 10-11 a.m. PDT | Register for the March 27 webinar here
- Thursday, April 4 | Noon-1 p.m. PDT | Register for the April 4 webinar here
Find additional tax information.
Important: ISSS may not provide tax advice or information about tax treaties. Please consult a tax expert or use the chat function with Sprintax.
If you have any questions about the above announcement, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.
- WSU Pullman students contact +1 509-335-4508 or ip.intlservices@wsu.edu
- WSU Everett, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver students contact Nitivia Jones at nitivia.jones@wsu.edu