Resources

Driver's License

To apply for a drivers license please visit the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The closest DMV office to campus is located at 4802 Sheboygan Ave.

Please note: If you are in the U.S. for less than a year and you have a valid driver’s license issued by a country that signed either the 1943 regulation of inter-American automotive traffic or the 1949 Geneva Convention on road traffic, you may drive legally with that license. If you are in the U.S. for longer or do not have a valid operator’s license issued by a country referenced above, you may consider applying for a Wisconsin driver’s license.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

IRS is the government agency that overviews taxation in the United States. If you are subject to U.S. taxes, the IRS will only contact you via U.S. Mail. If you receive a phone call or an email purporting to be from the IRS, do not respond and do not provide any personal information. Report phishing emails to DoIT and report any phone scams to the UW–Madison Police Department.

International Tax and Treaty

If you are going to receive a UW–Madison salary with benefits during your stay on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the length of your program may have an impact on your international tax treaty, if your country has one.

All foreign national employees being paid or receiving funds through UW–Madison payroll must create and maintain a GLACIER record for payroll and taxation purposes. GLACIER is tax compliance software for international individuals on UW payroll. Once your UW department has entered your appointment information into the Human Resources System (HRS) and they have noted your record as a foreign national, a GLACIER account will be created for you. You must then log into your GLACIER account and enter in your non-immigrant information and history.

Once you arrive at UW–Madison, if you have questions regarding your GLACIER account, please contact the international tax team at glacier@ohr.wisc.edu.

If you receive a UW–Madison salary, or any salary from a U.S. source, you will be required to file yearly taxes with the federal Internal Revenue Service and the State of Wisconsin. Although the UW does not have a tax filing office that can assist or advise you on how to file, here is information on where to find forms and other areas of assistance.

Wiscard

The Wiscard is the official UW–Madison identification card. As a J-1 scholar you qualify for a Wiscard. Here is more information.

Net ID

A Net ID is required to access the UW–Madison internet, Wi-Fi, MyUW, and UW–Madison email account. Once you have obtained your Wiscard you can use the ID number to activate your Net ID. Please see here for more information.

MyUW

MyUW is an application that is available to you as a visitor to the UW. It provides links to payroll, benefits, personal calendars, your wisc.edu email account, and more. Please look here for more info and how to access the portal.

UW Campus Bus

The UW campus buses (80, 81 & 82) are free to all riders. Look here for updated routes and schedules.

If you require a different route, you can apply to purchase a bus pass here.

Madison Area Events

While you are here in Madison please take time to explore the local culture and plethora of events that this community and the greater Wisconsin area has to offer. Here are some helpful links to locate areas and events of interest: