GLACIER
GLACIER is a web-based tax compliance system for institutions that host or pay foreign nationals.
What GLACIER is
GLACIER is a web-based tax compliance system for institutions that host or pay foreign nationals. It helps collect information, determine tax residency and treaty eligibility, manage paperwork, and prepare IRS reporting. The system calculates the substantial presence test and reviews applicable income tax treaties for possible exemptions. It prepares relevant withholding and treaty forms, along with year-end Forms 1042 and 1042-S for paper or electronic submission. Administrators can invite foreign nationals to enter information directly; GLACIER tracks missing details and sends email reminders. Standard and ad-hoc reports can cover treaty exemption dates, residency changes, missing SSNs or ITINs, and immigration status expirations. It runs in a current web browser and requires internet access and a printer, with no client software installation. Arctic says it uses TLS, database encryption, firewalls, daily backups, and weekly offsite backup rotation. Each foreign national requires an Individual Record retained for the full calendar year. At least one Institution Administrator must participate in an ARC Training session during each of the first two years. Pricing is on request, and a free trial is offered without a stated duration.
Good
- Prepares Forms 1042 and 1042-S
- Tracks missing information and sends email reminders
- Supports paper and electronic submission
- No client software installation required
Watch out
- Requires internet access and a printer
- Each foreign national needs an Individual Record
- Administrator training participation is required in each of the first two years
- Pricing is on request
Who it suits
GLACIER is intended for universities, colleges, research institutes, hospitals, foundations, exchange organizations, and government agencies that host or pay foreign nationals. It suits institutions managing tax paperwork and IRS reporting for those individuals.
Verdict
GLACIER combines tax-residency workflows, document preparation, reminders, and reporting for institutions handling foreign nationals. Account for its record-retention and administrator training requirements when assessing fit.
Plans and prices
From GLACIER's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | Priced on request | 2500 – 3999 Individual Records · Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. |
| Large | Priced on request | 500 - 1499 Individual Records · Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. |
| Medium | Priced on request | 100 - 499 Individual Records · Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. |
| Mini | Priced on request | 1-49 Individual Records · Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. |
| Small | Priced on request | 50-99 Individual Records · Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. |
| Unlimited | Priced on request | 4000 or more Individual Records · Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. |
| XLarge | Priced on request | 1500 - 2499 Individual Records · Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. |
The facts
Each one read from GLACIER's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access and requirements
- GLACIER is web-based and requires a current web browser, internet access, and a printer, with no client software installation required.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Forms and reporting
- GLACIER prepares applicable withholding and treaty forms and year-end Forms 1042 and 1042-S for paper or electronic submission.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Institutions served
- The maker describes GLACIER as suited to universities, colleges, research institutes, hospitals, foundations, exchange organizations, and government agencies that host or pay foreign nationals.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- GLACIER is an online tax compliance system for institutions that collect information, determine tax residency and income tax treaty eligibility, manage paperwork, and file reporting statements with the IRS.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Record limit
- Each foreign national needs an Individual Record, and the record must be retained for the full calendar year to support year-end reporting and tax-file maintenance.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Reports
- GLACIER generates standard and ad-hoc reports, including reports on treaty exemption dates, residency changes, missing SSNs or ITINs, and immigration status expirations.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- Arctic says GLACIER uses TLS, database encryption, firewalls, daily backups, and weekly offsite backup rotation.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker says GLACIER support is provided at no additional fee by tax professionals, IT staff, and software engineers, with online help on each screen.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Tax calculations
- The system calculates the substantial presence test and reviews applicable income tax treaties for potential exemptions.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Training requirement
- At least one Institution Administrator from each client must attend or participate in at least one ARC Training session during each of the first two years.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Administrators can invite foreign nationals to enter information directly, and the system tracks missing information and sends email reminders.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Trial
- The maker says institutions can try GLACIER for free, but does not state a trial duration.checked 9 Oct 2026
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