IRS Form 8843: STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

IRS Form 8843 is attached to this packet.

Print and complete using the following instructions.

Who must file Form 8843?

Everyone in F1/F2 student/dependent or J1/J2 exchange visitor/dependent or
M1/M2 Vocational student/dependent status during 2017 must submit a Form 8843
each year, even if they earned no income in the United States.

What is the deadline to file?

If you had no U.S.-source income during 2017, the deadline is June 15, 2018.

INSTRUCTIONS for completing Form 8843

IRS Form 8843 has seven parts. You need to complete the parts in RED:
1. Identity/Biographical Information
2. Part I: General Information
3. Part II: Teachers and Trainees
4. Part III: Students
5. Part IV: Professional Athletes
6. Part V: Individuals with a Medical Condition or Medical Problem
7. Sign and date

Complete the Form in the order listed (you need answers from Part III
“Students” to complete Part I “General Information”).

Step 1: Complete your biographical information on IRS Form 8843

Fill in your name and address information.

Your given name Your family (last) name US Social Security Number if you have one

Address in country of residence is your or This is your mailing address in the United States.
your parents’ foreign address. If you are no longer in the U.S., write “N/A”.
Step 2: Go to Part III: Students
9 Write: Berklee College of Music, 1140 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215, 617-266-1400.

10 See attached sheet of Deans/Program Directors.

Write name of Dean/Program Director for your division/major.
Students in Dual majors can choose which person to write.
Write: Berklee College of Music, 1140 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215, 617-266-1400.

11 Write the U.S. visa status held in each year 2011-2016.

If you were not in the United States during one of the years, write “N/A”.

12 If you have been in the United States for:

a. less than 5 years, select NO.
b. 5 years or more, select YES.

13 Check Yes, ONLY if you applied for a U.S. green card (U.S. permanent residency).
Otherwise, check NO.

“Diversity Visa Lottery” applicants: If you were not selected check NO.
Check YES, if you were selected (“won” the Lottery) and submitted the
follow up application materials.

14 If you answered NO to Question 13, write “N/A.”

If you answered YES to Question 13, write information about your efforts to apply
for U.S. permanent residency.

Step 3: Go to Part I: General Information

1a Write the visa status in which you last entered the U.S. (typically “F” is the answer) and
the date you first entered in that visa type.
1b Write your current visa status.
If you changed your nonimmigrant visa status while in the U.S. (i.e., submitted a
Form I-539 to USCIS), write your current status and date the “change of status”
was approved by USCIS. (Most students have not done this.)

2 Write your country of citizenship during 2017. If you have dual citizenship, list the
country with which you have the closest connection.

3a Write the name of the country (or countries) who issued you a passport.
3b Write your passport number(s).

4a Count and write in the number of days you were inside the U.S. during each year.
Yes, you need to count the days. Look at a calendar. Check your passport for U.S. entry/exit stamps or go to
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/ to review your U.S. travel history.
4b LOOK at your answer to Question 12.
If answer to12 is NO, write the number in 4a 2017 ______, as your answer to 4b.
Go to Step 4.

If answer to 12 is YES AND the number in 4a 2017 ______ is less than 31, write the
total number of days from 4a 2017 ______, as your answer to 4b.
Go to Step 4.

If answer to 12 is YES AND the number in 4a 2017 ______ is 31 or greater, you must
complete the Substantial Presence Test:

GO TO: https://goo.gl/ehTSdc
IF TOTAL DAYS FOR SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE = 182 or less, go to Step 4.

IF TOTAL DAYS FOR SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE = 183 or higher, you are a RESIDENT
ALIEN FOR TAX PURPOSES. STOP do not submit Form 8843. You will need to file
as a “Resident Alien” for tax purposes. Go to a Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) site for FREE one-on-one assistance.

Step 4: Go to the end of IRS Form 8843

Sign and date the form.

Step 5: Copy completed form(s) (or take pictures & save)

Keep copies for seven (7) years.

Step 6: Mail Signed and Dated Form(s) by or on June 15, 2018.

From inside the US:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301

From outside the US:

Internal Revenue Service Center
3651 South Interregional Highway 35
Austin TX 78741
USA
NEED HELP?
VITA is the BEST and EASIEST resource
Volunteer Income Tax Preparation Program (VITA): http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/vita/
- Trained volunteers offer free one-on-one assistance.
- Available until April 20, 2018 by appointment only.
- Located at:
Bunker Hill Community College
Charlestown Campus
250 New Rutherford Ave.
Building D, Room D206 (2nd floor)
Boston, Massachusetts 02129

Other Resources
Additional Tax Resources are posted on the International Student Services web

Didn’t file in 2016?

(And you were in the US in F, J or M visa status)
It’s not too late!

You can download the 2016 IRS Form 8843 (https://goo.gl/vF2XHv). Follow the
instructions above, except provide information for years indicated on Form 8843. Mail
all forms to the IRS in the same envelope.

Remember to keep a photocopy or picture of completed tax forms for seven years!

Disclaimer: This document is for general information only; it is not intended to be, nor should it be
construed as, tax advice. It is the responsibility of the individual to meet all tax filing obligations. Inter-
national students who had no US-source income are encouraged to go to a VITA site to prepare their
federal tax form(s), consult the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), local and state tax agencies,
and/or tax professionals for advice and guidance regarding their individual tax situations.

2017_Tax_Instructions_No US-Source Income

 Deans/Program  Directors
Use  to  answer  question  #10  on  IRS  Form  8843

Conservatory:
Dance Division Tommy Neblett
Music Division Michael Shinn
Theater Division Neil Donohoe
Music and Intensive English Program Jim O'Dell
College:
Professional Education Darla Hanley
Music Business/Management
Music Education
Music Therapy
Professional Music
Professional Performance Matt Marvuglio
Professional Writing and Music Technology Division Kari Juusela
Composition
Contemporary Writing and Production
Electronic Production and Design
Film Scoring
Harmony
Jazz Composition
Music Production and Engineering
Songwriting
Undeclared Major Larry Simpson
Summer Programs Rob Rose