FNIS Questionnaire Help

This page provides a step-by-step walk through of completing the FNIS questionnaire as a student or employee. Use the Table of Contents button to the right to jump to a part of the questionnaire. Select "International Taxes" from the drop-down menu on the Contact form for assistance.

Before you start, gather the following information:

• Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)
• Your local (U.S.) address
• Your foreign (permanent) address
• Your passport
• Your visa information
• Your I-94 card
• Your I-20 or DS-2019 form

Step 1: Basic Information

• Enter your name in the appropriate fields. These fields should match how your name is presented on your passport.
• Enter your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) in the appropriate fields. Generally, employees have SSNs and unemployed students have ITINs
  • Review the Apply for a Social Security Number page or contact the Office of International Services (OIS) for assistance obtaining a SSN.
  • Review the Request an ITIN page for assistance obtaining an ITIN.
• Enter your 10-digit employee or student ID number in the Institution-Assigned ID Number field.
• Please enter a Foreign Tax ID, if you have one.
• Complete the Student type, Trainee type, and Institution Information fields.
  • If you are an unemployed student, select "Not a Trainee." from the Trainee type field.

Step 2: Individual Information

• Enter your date of birth in the appropriate field.
• Select your marital status. If you selected "Single" as your marital status, disregard the next three questions.
• If you selected "Married" or "Unknown" as your marital status, answer the next three questions to the best of your knowledge.
• Enter dependents in the appropriate fields. Generally, a dependent is a child (under age 19) for whom you provide more than half their living expenses, such as food, lodging, education, etc.
• In the Telephone and Email Address fields, enter your best contact information.
• The Date First Ever Entered USA field must also be included in your visit history. See Step 5 for additional details.
• Answering "Yes" to the Claiming Personal Exemption question reduces U.S. income tax that may be withheld from the wages you receive from Indiana University.

Step 3: Address Information

• Enter your local, or U.S., address in the USA Local Address fields.
• Enter your permanent, or foreign, address in the Foreign Residence Address fields.

Step 4: Additional Information

• Enter your passport information in the appropriate fields.
• Answer the "Are you also a U.S. citizen?" question as appropriate.
• Select your Country of Tax residence from the drop-down menu.
• Complete the Self-Employment section if you own your own business in the U.S. and offer services to your customers for a fee.
• Complete the Other Information section, paying special attention to the following:
  • Are you engaged in a full-time program?
    • Undergraduate students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
    • Graduate students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during fall or spring semesters.
    • Researchers, teachers, or staff visiting on a J visa and with the primary purpose of teaching or conducting research are considered full-time.
  • Do you wish to claim treaty benefits if they are available?
    • Residents of some countries may be entitled to reduced income tax rates or exemption from tax under a tax treaty between their country and the U.S. IU is required to withhold income taxes from your wages or the taxable portion of your scholarship if you do not claim or do not qualify for treaty benefits.
    • Answer "Yes" to this question if you would like IU to determine if you qualify for tax treaty benefits, or if you are uncertain.

Step 5: Visa/Immigration Status History

• Begin by clicking Add New Record. Start with your most current, or most recent, visa/immigration information.
• Select your visa from the Immigration Status drop-down menu. Complete the J Subcategory field if necessary.
• In the Primary Purpose of Visit drop-down, select the response which best fits your situation.
• Complete the Tax residence country field as appropriate.
• Enter your visa number in the Visa Number field.
• The First Day in the U.S. in this status field should reflect the date listed on your I-94 Arrival Form.
• Last Day in the U.S. should be the last day listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 Form.

Step 6: Confirmation

• Click Print Data to print the page and sign it. You will be asked to submit this signed version after your information has been reviewed.
• Check the box next to the attestation statement, "The information I have entered is correct and I wish to submit it to my host site."
• Click Finish to submit your information for review.

After Submitting the Questionnaire

You will receive a confirmation email verifying that IU received your information. University Tax Services will review your information and contact you with questions or if they need additional information. This contact will happen via email to the email address listed in your FNIS questionnaire.

The final step in completing the FNIS questionnaire is the signing and returning of tax documents. Tax documents are generated in FNIS, and you will receive an email when they are available. The forms generated vary by individual, but may include the following:

Form W-8BEN

Requires your signature & date. It certifies that you are a nonresident alien (NRA) for U.S. tax purposes. IF PART II is filled in, you are qualified for tax treaty benefits on your scholarship.

Form W-9

Requires your signature & date. It certifies that you are now considered a resident for U.S. tax purposes and that you have provided the university your correct tax identification number and correct U.S. address.

Form W-4

Requires your signature & date. This form is used to help determine the amount of federal income tax withheld form your wages. To learn more, review IRS Notice 1392.

Form 8233

Requires your signature & date on Page 2, Part III Certification and also on page 3. This form allows tax treaty benefits to be applied to your wages earned through employment. The amount of tax treaty available varies by country and can reduce your income tax withholdings to zero on part or all of your wages.

Form WH-4

Requires you to complete it, sign & date. This form is not generated by FNIS but is required for proper income tax withholding for the State of Indiana and the county in Indiana that you live in or work in. Click here to access a blank Form WH-4.

Submit completed forms to UCO Customer Service. Forms must be submitted via mail to the following address:

UCO Customer Service

1024 E 3rd St. Rm 103

Bloomington, IN 47405