About the University Tax Department

The George Washington University Tax Department is part of the Comptroller's Office. The Tax Department's mission is to ensure that the University is in compliance with federal, state and local tax laws and to develop and enforce appropriate policies and procedures in order to meet its compliance requirements and protect the University's tax-exempt status.

Major responsibilities of the GW Tax Department include:

Manage federal and state tax compliance, including filing of federal and state income and information returns in an accurate and timely manner, for The University and certain related entities, including:

• Unrelated Business Income
• Sales and Use Tax
• Excise Tax
• Property Tax
• Taxation of nonresident aliens

Oversee and negotiate Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax audits

Act as a resource to the University community for tax issues and advise on University policy and procedure development with respect to tax issues, including worker classification (employee vs. independent contractor) and withholding and reporting requirements for payments to international visitors

Advise international students and scholars on tax treaty benefits and tax withholding and reporting requirements. Guidance is provided through seminars and one-on-one meetings with international students and scholars

Monitor developments in federal and state tax laws and regulations, etc. and their impact on the University

The tax department does not provide personal income tax advice to students or employees.