Retroactive Tax Treaty – Tax return

[Guillaume]

I’m a french citizen who did an internship in a US University from August 2023 to February 2024. As a french citizen working in public research, I got a total tax exemption because of a tax treaty between the US and France.

When I arrived in the US, I didn’t got my SSN, so, for my first three paychecks, I got taxed at 30% of my total income. After I received my SSN, the tax treaty applied and I got a total tax exemption. Nevertheless, my tax treaty should be retroactive and I should do a tax return to recover the 30% of my first three paychecks. The University gave me a Form 1042-S which doesn’t reflect any tax withholding.

What do you think I should change or add to correctly do my tax return and recover the taxes of my first three paychecks ?

[HurryUp]

I am not a tax accountant –
The University should send you a document showing the amount they withheld. It may not show your SSN. I would put that amount on your return as taxes withheld. Include that document with your paper return. The IRS website shows how to attach files to an electronic return.

Can you contact any other French nationals who have experienced the same issue, and get advice from them?

Thanks for doing your internship here, and bon chance!

[HurryUp]

Also, there might be a specific IRS form that is used for just such an issue. The University might have a department to help out. Maybe you can ask one of the international finance/accounting professors.

[Author]

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