Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the US are required to file a tax return each year, even if they have no US income. This is a condition of their visa, and failing to do so could result in problems with future visa applications. International students are considered nonresidents for tax purposes and are therefore taxed differently from US residents. They may be required to pay federal and state income taxes on any money they have earned in the US, including wages from employment, scholarships, and interest on bank accounts. They may also be eligible for tax refunds.
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa students and tax returns
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes. This means that they are taxed only on US-source income. If you are an F-1 student who has not earned any income in the US, you may not need to file a federal tax return. However, you will still need to file a Form 8843, which is the exemption form for international students with no income. This form must be filed separately for each dependent, including spouses and children of all ages.
If you are an F-1 student who has earned income in the US, you will likely need to file a Form 1040-NR in addition to the Form 8843. You may also need to file a state tax return and pay state income tax, as this varies depending on the state in which you live and earn income. Nine states, including Alaska, Florida, and Texas, do not apply state income tax to earnings.
It is important to note that F-1 students are exempt from Social Security Tax and Medicare Tax on wages for services performed within the United States. However, once an F-1 student becomes a resident alien for tax purposes, they may become liable for self-employment taxes.
To correctly file your tax return, you will need a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are not eligible for a Social Security Number, you can apply for an ITIN by completing a W-7 form.
You can find more information and guidance on tax returns for international students on the IRS website or by contacting them directly. Additionally, there are software solutions like Sprintax that can help guide you through the process.
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Tax refunds for international students
International students in the US are required to file a tax return each year, usually on or before April 15. This is a mandatory process and not doing so may result in problems with future visa applications and possible ineligibility for a green card.
International students are considered 'nonresident aliens' for US federal income tax purposes, and are taxed only on income from US sources. Students with F-1 visas are not required to pay employment taxes such as Social Security and Medicare (FICA), but they are required to pay federal and state income taxes.
If you are an international student and you earned wages from a job in the US, received scholarship money from an American organisation, or made interest on money in an American bank account, you will need to file Form 8843 and most likely Form 1040-NR as well. These forms are available online from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and can be printed off and mailed to the IRS directly.
If you paid more tax than you owed during the year, you will be entitled to a refund. If you are an F-1 student, you may be able to claim a tax refund on your scholarship if it is covered by a tax treaty. You will only be required to pay FICA tax if you were in the US for more than five years. If you are owed a refund for Social Security or Medicare taxes withheld in error, you should first contact your employer, and if this is unsuccessful, you can apply for a refund directly with the IRS.
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Tax treaties and international students
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes and are taxed in the same manner. This means that international students are taxed only on income earned from US sources, and most states will collect state income tax in addition to federal income tax.
Some countries have tax treaty agreements with the US, where certain types of income may be exempted from federal taxes. For instance, Korean international students are exempt from tax on any income of $2000 or less from personal services performed. Similarly, French citizens are exempt from US tax on any income earned from gifts from abroad for the purpose of maintenance, education, study, research, or training, and income of $5000 or less from personal services performed. Canadian citizens who are in the US as international students are exempt from tax on any US income received for activities related to education, training, or maintenance. Additionally, any Canadian citizen can be exempt for up to $10,000 in personal services if their total income is under or equal to $10,000.
To claim a tax treaty benefit on a non-compensatory scholarship or grant, international students must fill out a W-8BEN form. To fill out Form W-8BEN, students will need to know their personal information, such as name, TIN, and address in their country of residence. They will also need to provide a description of the services provided and the total amount of income earned, along with the exact treaty on which they are basing their claim for tax exemption.
International students who wish to claim a tax treaty benefit on income from personal services, compensatory scholarships, or grant-receiving will need to complete a Form 8233 and submit it to their university. They must also complete a country-specific statement that details the terms of the treaty.
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State tax returns for international students
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes. This means that they are taxed in the same way as nonresident aliens, and are required to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) for any income earned from US sources.
In addition to federal income tax, most states in the US also collect state income tax. The amount of tax you pay depends on the state you are in, as each state has different tax rates and deductions. Therefore, international students may need to file a state tax return and pay state income tax, even if they do not need to file a federal return.
Some states, such as Connecticut and Maryland, require students to file a state income tax return if they earned an income in that state above a certain threshold. However, nine states have no tax-filing requirements at all.
It is important to note that income that is not taxable due to an income tax treaty must still be reported on a US income tax return, even if no tax is due.
To file your state tax return, you will need to provide your name, current address, and social security number (SSN) or IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), along with other general personal information. You will also need your W-2 form, which is used to report wages and taxes withheld, and should be provided by your employer at the end of January.
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Tax identification numbers for international students
International students in the United States are required to file a tax return each year, and in most cases, they are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes. While some international students may be eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN), others will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax-related documents.
Social Security Number (SSN)
J-1 students and scholars are eligible for SSNs and should apply for one rather than an ITIN. If you are eligible for an SSN, you do not need an ITIN.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
If you have U.S.-source income but are not eligible for an SSN, you will need an ITIN to fill out Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms. For example, if you receive a non-service fellowship that includes money for living expenses, you will need an ITIN.
To apply for an ITIN, you will need your passport and visa stamp, a copy of your fellowship or scholarship letter, your I-94 printed from the CBP I-94 website, and your I-20 or DS-2019 form. You can use web-based tax preparation software like GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP) to determine if you need an ITIN and to prepare the application form.
It is important to note that the IRS will not issue an ITIN unless it is required for a tax return form. The deadline to apply for an ITIN for the 2025 tax year is November 30, 2025.
Tax Filing Requirements for Nonresident Alien Students
Nonresident alien students and scholars who have income only from certain sources, such as U.S. savings and loan institutions, U.S. credit unions, U.S. insurance companies, or tax-free scholarships, are generally not required to file a tax return. However, income that is not taxable due to an income tax treaty must still be reported on a U.S. income tax return, even if no tax is due.
Tax Returns and Refunds
The purpose of filing a tax return is to report all sources of income, what you have already paid in taxes, and what you still owe. It is also an opportunity to claim deductions or exemptions. If you have overpaid taxes, you may be entitled to a refund. On the other hand, if you have underpaid, you will need to pay the difference.
International students on F-1 visas are often eligible for tax refunds from the U.S. For example, F-1 students can claim a tax refund on their scholarship if it is covered by a tax treaty. Additionally, most F-1 students are not required to pay FICA tax unless they have been in the U.S. for more than five years.
State Tax Considerations
It is important to remember that tax rates and deductions vary across U.S. states, so the amount of tax you pay will depend on where you live. As a result, international students may need to file a state tax return and pay state income tax even when no federal return is due. However, some states do not have any tax-filing requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all international students in the US are required to file a tax return each year, even if they have no income to report. This is a condition of their visa.
International students can apply for a tax return by filling out Form 8843 and, if they have received income in the previous calendar year, Form 1040-NR. These forms can be submitted online or mailed to the IRS.
Yes, international students can claim tax refunds from the US. For example, if they have overpaid on their income tax, or if they are claiming a tax treaty benefit.
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