Wellness and Work-life Balance
Are you an international graduate student? Check out this article containing general info on taxes, including Glacier Tax Prep (GTP), right here on the GradPost. Read on to learn more!
The Graduate Division has put together a list of resources on tax information for graduate students, and an additional set of links for international graduate students. You can also find more information on OISS's website. Please refer to these documents to answer your general questions about taxes.
Additionally, the Graduate Student Resource Center offers regular workshops on tax information for graduate students. You can view resources from this workshop, including slides and a recording, here.
GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP)
The UCSB Graduate Division has purchased a limited number of GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP) licenses so that our international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are classified as nonresident aliens for tax purposes can get free access to assistance with filing their U.S. federal tax return. Please note that GTP may only be used to file a federal tax return. If you need to file a state tax return (which GTP can help you determine), you may choose to do so for a fee through services such as Sprintax.
The information below is intended to provide general guidance and answers to common questions about GTP, but it is important to note that the Graduate Division is not able to provide tax advice. If you have questions about your unique tax situation, please use the Help link provided via GTP (if you are eligible and have access) or contact a tax professional. For more information about how alien tax status is determined, visit the IRS website.
What is GTP?
GLACIER Tax Prep (or GTP) is an online tax return preparation system that can be used by nonresident aliens (NRAs). GTP is different from GLACIER, which is a tax compliance system that is also utilized by our university. Both GLACIER and GTP are owned by Arctic International. Please note that GTP may only be used to file a federal tax return. If you need to file a state tax return (which GTP can help you determine), you may choose to do so for a fee through services such as Sprintax.
Who can use GTP?
GTP is only for use by nonresident aliens (NRAs). (To find out more about alien tax status, visit the IRS website.) Individuals may pay to access the system, or an institution can purchase licenses that they then distribute to NRAs affiliated with their institution. UCSB's Graduate Division has purchased a limited number of Glacier Tax Prep (GTP) licenses so that our international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are classified as nonresident aliens for tax purposes can access assistance with filing their U.S. federal tax return. Access codes are distributed directly through GTP via an automated email system.
When can I access GTP?
Before individuals can access GTP, UCSB must first issue all of its Forms 1042-S. This typically happens around the end of February. After all Forms 1042-S are issued, eligible individuals will be sent their GTP access codes via email, most likely in early March. If you think you may be entitled to a GTP access code and have not received one by March 15, please email Shawn Warner. If you think you should have received a Form 1042-S, or other relevant tax form from UCSB, please contact your hiring department.
How can I access GTP?
If it is determined that you are eligible, you will receive an automatically generated email from GTP with your unique access code. This email will also contain detailed instructions about how to use GTP and where to direct questions about the software.
Where can I get help with GTP?
All inquiries must be submitted online through GTP's help link. If you are having trouble accessing GTP, click the appropriate link on the login page to access assistance.
GTP is also offering a series of live information sessions to those who would like more information about federal tax issues or have GTP questions. Interested participants can find out more about these sessions by logging into GTP and selecting "LIVE Tax Information and GTP Q&A Session" from the menu.
