Tax Information for PhD Students

Overview

This information is intended to provide a general overview of tax information applicable to PhD students at the University of Chicago. None of the information included below is intended to be individual tax advice. 

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Funding Sources for PhD Students

PSD PhD students have three primary methods of funding from the University of Chicago. PhD students should expect to receive funding letters from their department/program that will notify students of their funding method for the quarter and/or academic year.

Stipend

Stipends (sometimes referred to as “fellowships” or “fellowship stipends”) are delivered as a one-time, lump-sum payment near the beginning of an academic quarter.

Students can find a record of their stipend payments in their Workday profiles by accessing their payslips.

Students receiving stipends may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. More information on quarterly estimated tax payments is available from Graduate Financial Aid.

Research Assistantship

Funding from research assistantships is delivered in three monthly installments on the last business day of each month, with each installment representing one-third of a student’s total quarterly funding.

The first payment occurs at the end of the first full month in the position. So, for example, a student holding an RA position in Autumn Quarter could expect to receive payments at the end of October, November, and December.

Students can find records of their assistantship payments by accessing their payslips in Workday. 

Teaching Assistantship or Lecturer

Funding from teaching assistantships is delivered in three monthly installments on the last business day of each month, with each installment representing one-third of a student’s total quarterly funding.

The first payment occurs at the end of the first full month in the position. So, for example, a student holding a TA position in Autumn Quarter could expect to receive payments at the end of October, November, and December.

Students can find records of their assistantship payments by accessing their payslips in Workday.

Tax Paperwork

PhD students may be asked to complete onboarding paperwork when they matriculate into their program. It is essential to complete this paperwork in a timely manner and by the due dates you are given. You should wait to complete this paperwork until you receive instructions from your department. 

Students on F-1 or J-1 visas who receive stipend or assistantship payments may be eligible for tax treaty benefits based on their country of residence. More information is available on the tax treaty benefits website.

Tax Forms Students Receive

PhD Students will receive different tax forms depending on their funding source. If students have more than one funding source per year (e.g. stipend in Autumn, TA in Winter and Spring), they will receive the paperwork associated with each funding source consistent with the table below: 

Funding Source US Citizen or Permanent Resident or Resident for Tax Purposes International Student (F-1 or J-1 visa holder)
Stipend No tax form. This is self-reported taxable income (more info) 1042-S (delivered via mail in early April)
Research Assistantship W-2 W-2^
Teaching Assistantship or Lecturer W-2 W-2^

^ Students with an applicable tax treaty may receive a 1042-S for this funding type

Students should carefully review their funding letters when they receive them to make sure they understand how this will impact the tax information they receive.

Tax Withholding

Tax withholding depends on a number of factors, including the position you are holding, your residency status for tax purposes, and any withholding elections you make on your tax paperwork. The information below provides a summary of tax withholding based on University funding sources for PhD students:

If you are receiving a financial award from outside the University you should follow up with the award provider to determine the tax implications of the award.  

Students studying on a J-1 or F-1 visa are encouraged to explore the tax withholding information for foreign nationals.

US Citizen or Permanent Resident or Resident for Tax Purposes F-1 or J-1 Student (absent an applicable tax treaty) Resources 
Stipend fellowship Taxes not withheld Taxes withheld at 14% rate Quarterly Estimated Tax Payment Information
Teaching Assistant or Lecturer Taxes (state and federal) withheld Taxes (state and federal) withheld
Research Assistant Taxes (state and federal) withheld Taxes (state and federal) withheld

Tax Resources for PhD Students (US Citizens and Permanent Residents)

Tax Resources for PhD Students (F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders)