New resource helps international students during tax filing season
VCU partners with Sprintax to offer free tax preparation software designed for nonresident students
Contact: V. Renee Russell
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-3636
vrrussell@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA. (March 5, 2021)—Tax season is upon us, and this year, international students at Virginia Commonwealth University have a new resource to help them navigate the filing process. The VCU Global Education Office has partnered with Sprintax to offer online, tax preparation software designed for nonresident students and scholars in the U.S.
The partnership was made possible by the Global Education and International Student Support Fund, which was established last year thanks to an anonymous gift to the VCU College of Engineering.
“The U.S. tax system is incredibly complicated and our students often have questions about how to file,” said Nichole Dorton, student engagement coordinator in the Global Education Office, who manages the program. “In the past, we would explain that we could not provide tax advice or support, and would encourage students to contact a local tax accountant.”
According to Dorton, this resulted in many international students trying to navigate the process on their own in order to avoid paying tax filing fees.
“Our partnership with Sprintax not only provides international students with free access to the tax software that is designed specifically for them, it also provides free tax workshops, support staff and other beneficial resources,” she said. “It is our hope that by offering this service, our students feel more supported by the university.”
“This is just one of the ways that we have been able to enhance the support we provide to international students at VCU,” said Jill Blondin, Ph.D., executive director of the Global Education Office. “We hope to continue offering these types of services that add value to their experience.”
In addition to this latest resource, funds from the Global Education and International Student Support Fund were used to provide meals for international students during Thanksgiving break and care packages to those who remained on campus during winter break.
VCU’s partnership with Sprintax provides a total of 500 international students with free access to the software. Students who wish to take advantage of this offer should email Dorton at nldorton@vcu.edu.