Filing Taxes: International Students' Deadline Extension Queries

International students in the US are required to file their tax returns each year, even if they didn't earn any money during their stay. The deadline for filing is usually April 15th or April 18th, depending on the year and individual circumstances. Missing the deadline may result in penalties and can jeopardize future visa applications. International students must determine their tax residency status and complete the necessary forms, such as Form 8843, which can be submitted separately or along with Form 1040-NR if they had US-sourced income. While filing taxes may seem daunting, it is a necessary part of maintaining legal status in the US, and there are resources available to assist international students in properly completing their tax returns.

International students with F, J, M, or Q visas are considered exempt individuals

To remain exempt, students must not engage in activities prohibited by US immigration laws that could result in the loss of their nonimmigrant status. They must also not have taken steps to change their status from nonimmigrant to a lawful permanent resident.

International students on these visas are exempt from Social Security Tax and Medicare Tax on wages for services performed within the United States. This includes on-campus student employment, off-campus student employment allowed by USCIS, and practical training student employment. However, this exemption does not apply to spouses and children with F-2, J-2, or M-2 status.

All international students in the US must file a tax return each year, usually by April 15 or April 18. Even if they did not earn money in the US, they must file Form 8843 with the IRS by the deadline. They may also need to file a state tax return, depending on the state. If they have received US-sourced income, they will likely need to file Form 1040-NR as well.

Deadlines: April 15, April 18, and June 15

As an international student, you must file a tax return in the US every year, even if you didn't earn any money during your time in the country. The IRS deadline for filing tax returns is usually April 15 or April 18. The year 2023 has an April 18 deadline. However, this deadline only applies to federal tax returns, and state deadlines differ.

All international students and their dependents (including spouses and children of all ages) must file at least Form 8843 separately to remain legal under their visas, even if they had no US-sourced income. This form has its own deadline, which is different from the federal tax return deadline. Additionally, if you have received income in the last calendar year, you will likely need to file Form 1040-NR as well.

If you are an F-1 student, the deadline to file your tax documents is April 15, 2025. If you are unable to file your federal income tax return by the deadline, you may be able to get an automatic six-month extension by filing Form 4868 by the original deadline. However, this extension is only for filing your tax return and does not extend the time to pay any money due.

Non-residents for tax purposes have two deadlines: April 18 and June 15, depending on their circumstances. If you are unsure whether you are a tax resident or non-resident, you can refer to the IRS website for more information.

Form 8843: Required for non-resident aliens and their dependents

Form 8843 is a statement required by the US government for certain non-resident aliens, including their spouses or dependents. It is not an income tax return, and no tax will be due when filing this form. Instead, it is a way to record the days of presence exempted from the Substantial Presence Test (SPT). The SPT is a test used by the IRS to determine whether international students and scholars are resident aliens or non-resident aliens for tax purposes. International students in an F, J, Q, or M visa status can exempt 5 years of presence from the SPT, while international scholars in a J or Q visa status can exempt 2 years.

All non-resident aliens who are in the US on F-1, J-1, F-2, or J-2 visas are required to file a Form 8843, even if they earned no US income. This includes any dependents, who must also file a Form 8843. The only exception is for those who can be claimed as dependents on a US tax return, who must have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a non-resident alien who is exempting days of presence from the SPT, you need to file Form 8843, regardless of whether you need to file a tax return.

If you are required to file an income tax return, you should attach Form 8843 to the back of the tax return. If Form 8843 is not filed in connection with a federal tax return, the form must be sent to the address provided by Sprintax or on the 8843 Form instructions by June 15th of the calendar year. Each individual who files Form 8843 must send the form separately from any other form or anyone else's forms. Currently, there is no option to file Form 8843 online, so the only way to submit it is to complete it and mail it to your nearest IRS center.

There is potentially a penalty for not filing Form 8843 on time. By not filing correctly and on time, you may not be able to exclude the days you were present in the United States, which could result in you being considered a US resident under the SPT. However, the IRS allows non-residents in the US to file 8843 for previous years they have missed. To do this, you will need to attach a Form 8843 for each year you were present in the US with your tax return.

Extension options: Form 4868 for a 6-month extension

International students in the US, along with their dependents, are required to file their tax returns each year. The deadline for the same is usually April 15, however, for the year 2023, the deadline is April 18. If you are an international student and are unable to file your federal income tax return by the deadline, you can apply for an extension using Form 4868.

Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, offers a 6-month extension to file federal income tax returns. This form is available on the IRS website and can be used by any U.S. taxpayer who needs extra time to file their federal tax return. The form must be submitted by the normal April tax filing deadline.

The extension, however, does not extend the time to pay the taxes owed. The taxes are still due by the April filing date. If you owe any tax, you must estimate your tax liability on Form 4868 and pay the amount due by the original deadline.

Along with the estimated tax liability, you must also provide your name, address, Social Security Number, and your spouse's Social Security Number if applicable. Filing Form 4868 may also provide an automatic extension for the state income tax filing deadline, depending on the U.S. state.

By obtaining the extension, taxpayers can avoid any late filing penalties of 5% of the amount due for each month or part of the month if the return is delayed past the April deadline.

Filing process: Download forms, complete, print, and mail to the IRS

The first step in the filing process is to download the necessary forms. For international students in the US, Form 8843 is required, and this is available on the IRS website. Even if you did not earn any money in the US, you must file this form. If you received income in the US, you will also likely need to file Form 1040-NR. If you have wages, you will need Form 1040, and if you have a business or side income, you will need to file Form 1040 with a Schedule C. Form W-4 is also important, as it allows your employer to withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay.

Once you have downloaded the relevant forms, you should complete them. You will need to provide your name, current address, and social security number or IRS individual taxpayer identification number, as well as other general personal information. If you are an employer or business and need to order information returns, you can do so via the IRS website.

After completing the forms, you should print them out. Then, you can mail the completed forms to the IRS. If you are unable to meet the deadline, you may be able to get an automatic six-month extension by filing Form 4868 by the original deadline. However, this does not extend the time to pay any money due, and you must still pay any taxes you owe by the deadline to avoid interest and penalties.

Frequently asked questions