Being a student doesn’t mean you’re off the hook when it comes to taxes. In fact, your earnings are still subject to both federal and state income taxes. However, by completing the federal W-4 and state M-4 forms, you can adjust your federal and state tax withholding or claim a tax exemption if you’re eligible. And if you work over the summer, you’ll also have Social Security and Medicare taxes (also known as FICA) withheld from your paychecks.
Are you an international student? Review the resources on this page and be sure you understand the specific requirements for international students.
Taxes as a Student Employee
Forms W-4 and M4
The federal W-4 and state M-4 forms mandate how much in taxes Payroll should withhold from your paycheck. While you’re not required to complete these forms, they can help ensure you’re not overpaying—or underpaying—your taxes throughout the year. If you do not submit a W-4, the university will default to withholding the maximum amount at your income bracket: single with zero dependencies.
Domestic students working on-campus positions can update their W-4 and M-4 tax withholding certificates through the BUworks Central Portal.
Depending on your eligibility, you may be exempt from a number of taxes.
Form W-2
All employed students will receive a Form W-2 in January. The W-2 shows how much you earned during the previous calendar year and how much was withheld in taxes. You need your W-2 to file federal and state tax returns.
Active Student Employees
Electronic W-2s: You can access your W-2s by logging into the W-2 Dashboard. You will be asked to enter your BU username and Kerberos password and will be taken to a new BU Tax Form Management page.
If you elect to receive your tax forms online, the election will be saved for future years, and you will no longer be mailed a paper copy of your W-2.
W-2s prior to 2022 will continue to be available through Employee Self-Service in the BUworks Central Portal.
Physical W-2s: Physical W-2s are mailed by University Payroll in January, typically during the last week of the month. Physical W-2s are mailed to the address on file at the BUworks Central Portal.
Graduated/Former Student Employees
If you have graduated and are no longer a student employee, you will receive your W-2 via US mail. You may also view and download a copy of your W-2 by following these instructions:
If you are a first-time user, follow the steps shown below:
In the pop-up box, click on Register Now
Follow the registration process
After you are prompted to enter your email and personal phone number, you will receive a one-time push code if Equifax can verify your identity
Once you are logged in, you must consent to receive your tax forms electronically before you can view them online
If you do not receive a mailed copy and you are unable to access your W-2 electronically using the instructions above, please contact Payroll immediately.
Need Assistance with your W-2?
If you missed the opportunity to opt in for online access, did not receive a mailed copy, or believe your W-2 is incorrect, please contact Payroll immediately at bupay@bu.edu.
Student Employment is not qualified to give students tax advice. Consult your parents or guardians for advice or seek out tax guidance from a professional. For free tax help, contact the Internal Revenue Service or Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Guidance for Remote Out-of-State Employees
If you’re working outside of MA and won’t be paying MA state income taxes, you can complete the MA Tax Exempt for Non-MA Residents form and send it to Payroll to be exempt from MA state income taxes.
If you’ve already had MA state taxes taken out of your paycheck during the year, you can fill out the tax exemption form, submit it to the Comptroller’s Office, and contact Kathy Sirois, who will reverse the MA state taxes, as long as this is done before mid-December.
This is an option only for out-of-state, fully remote student employees whose remote employment has been confirmed and approved by the department. Supervisors with students looking to work remotely out of country should contact Student Employment to discuss any potential tax implications. Please provide the following:
