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I am a foreign national. Do I have a 1042-S and/or a W-2?

Answer

The forms that you are supposed to receive from the institutions that paid you will depend on the facts of your particular situation. In general,

Form

Type of Income

Situation

W-2

Wages or Salary as an Employee

You will receive Form W-2 to report the wages or salary on which you DID NOT claim a tax treaty exemption

1042-S
(income code 18, 19, or 20)

Wages or Salary as an Employee

You will receive Form 1042-S with income code 18, 19, or 20 to report wages or salary on which you claimed a tax treaty exemption

1042-S
(income code 16)

Scholarship or Fellowship (no services performed)

You will receive Form 1042-S with income code 16 to report scholarship or fellowship regardless of whether tax was deducted or you claimed a tax treaty exemption. Please note that if you received tuition, required fees or a book allowance, these items should NOT be reported to you on any form.

1042-S
(income code 17, 42 or 43)

Consulting, Performance Fees

You will receive Form 1042-S with income code 17, 42 or 43 to report consulting or performance fees.

1042-S
(income code 54)

Participant Payments, Prizes/Awards

You will receive Form 1042-S with income code 54 to report prizes, awards, or participant payments.


In some cases, you may receive a Form 1099 (DIV, G, INT, or MISC). Generally, Nonresident Aliens should not receive such forms; however, if you do, you may use the information on the form to complete GTP – you do not need to request a new form from the payor.

NOTE: You should not receive Form 1098-T; however, if you do receive Form 1098-T, simply keep the form and do NOT enter any data from Form 1098-T into GTP.