International Tax Assistance Program - I-TAP

The International Tax Assistance Program (I-TAP) offered by ISL provides free tax preparation and filing advice for UGA international students on non-resident tax issues.  Through the I-TAP program, ISL offers a number of free sessions, workshops, individual appointments, and walk-in hours [link to this year’s Tax Brochure PDF file] each year to help support UGA international students with completing their federal and state tax forms.  International Student Life (ISL) at the University of Georgia (UGA) has provided tax assistance to international students at UGA since 2000.

ISL has the only program on campus that is Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) trained by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) specifically for non-resident tax issues.  Additionally, we also have the longest running non-resident tax program on campus.  Please, however, keep in mind that we are not tax experts.  We are tax volunteers trained by the IRS on simple non-resident returns for international students.  (For your information, a simple non-resident tax return completed by a professional tax preparer can cost $200 at a minimum!)  ISL works very hard each year to provide UGA international students with this free program (so that you do not have to pay to have someone help you). 

We also ask that you remember that ISL has a very small staff and can oftentimes receive and process more than 5,000 emails from February to April 15th each year concerning non-resident tax issues.  That number excludes phone calls, visits, students attending general workshops, general questions, walk-in hours, and the regular business matters of the ISL office.  Please know that we will work diligently each tax season to answer your emails and phone calls; however, please give us at least 3-5 business days to respond to your requests.  You will most likely hear from our Tax Team before 5 business days are up, but just in case we need the additional time we appreciate your understanding. 

Please also understand that due to the complex nature of non-resident taxes, ISL staff may not be able to answer specific questions relating to your personal tax forms unless we are able to see the accompanying documents.  Thank you in advance for your assistance as we work to provide you with this complimentary service.