Tax responsibilities and Direct Deposit

Undergraduate Research Funding

Hints, tips, and what to do before you start research!

Set up Direct Deposit, Mailing Address & VPN

If you are an international student, please
  • After you receive an email from the Office of Undergraduate Research with your expected pay date, please be on the lookout for an email from UR's Foreign National Payroll Office regarding setting up your Sprintax account. FN will create a Sprintax Calculus account and send you an activation email. If you have questions, please reach out to them at fnpayroll@ur.rochester.edu. You may find out more about Sprintax HERE.
  • Please note: A portion of your award may be withheld by the US government; the rate of tax withholding on your summer research payment will depend on your country of citizenship's tax relationship with the US. You must have a US Social Security number.
ALL students! Please do one of the following to ensure your check will be mailed to you at your location on your pay date:
  • If you have had a job on campus or are able to access the HRMS system: please log in and make sure your mailing address is where you would like to receive your payment. That's under Main Menu→Self-service→Personal Information. You may also confirm or set up direct deposit via Main Menu→Self-service→Payroll & Compensation.
  • If you are a US citizen and have never worked on campus (or aren't able to access HRMS), please add or update your mailing address in UR Student.There is no initial tax withholding for US citizens for these kinds of payments.
  • If you are an international student and have never worked on campus (or aren't able to access HRMS), please CLICK HERE to access the change of address form and return to Payroll to ensure that your check is delivered correctly. Please note that international mailings often do not make it to their destination!
  • Please do NOT enter any hours into the HRMS system; this is paid out as a fellowship stipend and entering hours will only confuse the system.
  • You must also download the University’s VPN client if you are traveling or living off-campus so that you may access the HRMS system from your location.
  • You are encouraged to consult with a certified accountant when filing your taxes, since your funding may be subject to income tax or you may be eligible for a refund (foreign nationals only; there is no tax withholding for US citizens).
If you are traveling outside the US, you must complete the following steps before receiving your stipend: 
  • The Payroll Office will email you a form to certify that your experience takes place outside the US. You must sign and return the supplied form immediately upon receipt or your stipend will not be paid out. 
  • You must also register your travel with the University or your stipend will not be paid out.