End of Year Information for Foreign Nationals

Tax Forms

The W-2 Form reports taxable wages received from Columbia University during the calendar year and the taxes withheld from those wages. If salary and wages are paid to a foreign national, they are reported on Form W-2 unless the payments are exempt under a tax treaty. In that case, they are reported on Form 1042-S.

You can receive your W-2 form electronically via PaperlessEmployee. 

Instructions to Register:

  1. Go to https://my.columbia.edu and log in with your UNI and Password
  2. Select the Faculty & Staff tab
  3. Scroll down to the Self Service options on the left and click “My W-2”
  4. On the left navigation, select “Account Settings”
  5. Choose “Manage Contact & Electronic Statement Options”
  6. Under Electronic Statement Notification Options, select “Yes” and provide both email and alternate email addresses
  7. Click “Save Notification Option Settings”

You will receive a 1042-S, Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding form, if you are an international student/scholar who is eligible for treaty or received a fellowship stipend or academic award such as a scholarship.

You can receive your 1042-S form electronically through FNIS. For assistance, please review the FNIS Electronic Opt-In Job Aid. If you would rather receive tax forms by regular mail, you do not need to do anything.  Your forms will be mailed to you as soon as they are available.  If you opt in to receive electronic 1042-S form delivery, no form will be mailed to you.

To continue tax treaty benefits, they must be renewed annually. How to renew:

  1. Recertify the 8233 form. You will receive an email from [email protected] near the end of the calendar year with information on how to renew your treaty benefits, if eligible.
     
  2. CUHR requires a handwritten signature on the 8233. Do not email back the form, instead, you can either:
     
    • Drop off the form at the Studebaker Building (615 West 131st Street, 4th Floor)

      OR
       
    • Mail form to CUHR
      Columbia University Human Resources
      Attn: NRA Tax Analysts
      615 West 131st Street
      4th Floor
      New York, NY 10027
Information Notice

The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) provides tax workshops to help prepare you for tax filing. Visit the ISSO website for more information and to register for a workshop.

For Foreign National Information System (FNIS) or Form 1042-S related questions, call the HR Service Center at 212-851-2888 or submit a ticket via columbia.service-now.com.

TAX FILING DISCLAIMER

Beyond the information provided on Columbia websites, University staff are not responsible for assisting students and their related parties or third parties in tax matters pertaining to their paying relationship with the University.

Anyone who needs assistance completing tax filings should consult a qualified tax specialist or CPA firm.