Lori Meadows
International students in the US are required to file a tax return each year, even if they have no US source of income. This is a condition of their visa, and students must file at least Form 8843, even if they didn't earn any money in the US. Depending on the state, they may also be required to file a state tax return. Most international students on an F-1 visa are considered nonresident aliens in the US and are required to file a US tax return (form 1040-NR) for income from US sources. International students can benefit from tax treaties with their home countries, which may exempt them from US income tax or result in a refund.
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What You'll Learn
International students on F-1 visas are considered nonresident aliens
As a nonresident alien, an international student with an F-1 visa will need to file Form 1040-NR (federal tax return) to assess their federal income and taxes. This is the case even if they did not earn any money during their time in the US; in this instance, they will need to file Form 8843 with the IRS. They may also be required to file a state tax return, depending on the state.
International students on F-1 visas are exempt from social security and Medicare taxes for the first five years of their stay in the US. They may also be eligible for tax treaty benefits, which can reduce or fully exempt their income from taxes. In such cases, the overpaid amount will be refunded to the student.
It is important to note that each individual state has its own tax system and regulations, imposing different residency and filing requirements. This means that foreign students may have to file a state tax return and pay state income tax even when no federal return is due.
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International students can get tax refunds
International students in the US can get tax refunds. The process may seem complex, but there are benefits to filing a tax return, such as the potential for a refund. International students are also required to file a tax return as a condition of their visa, even if they have not earned money during their time in the US.
Nonresident Alien Status
Most international students on an F-1 visa are considered nonresident aliens by the IRS. Nonresident aliens are usually subject to US income tax only on US-source income. This means that any income from non-American sources is not taxed by the US. However, nonresident aliens must file Form 1040-NR (federal tax return) to assess their federal income and taxes. They may also be required to file a state tax return, depending on the state.
Tax Treaties
International students can benefit from tax treaties between the US and their home country. The US has income tax treaties with 65 countries, which may allow residents of these countries to be taxed at a reduced rate or be exempt from US income taxes on certain types of income. In such cases, the overpaid amount will be refunded to the student.
FICA Tax Exemption
International students on an F-1 visa are generally exempt from paying FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes for up to five years from their date of arrival in the US. If FICA taxes were withheld from their pay in error, students can contact their employer for a refund.
Tools for Filing Tax Returns
To file a tax return, international students can use online tools such as Sprintax, which is the nonresident partner of TurboTax. Sprintax helps students prepare compliant tax returns and claim the maximum legal tax refund. Students can also call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 for guidance on tax-related questions.
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International students must file Form 8843
International students on an F-1 visa are typically considered nonresident aliens in the US and are required to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) for income from US sources. Even if an international student did not earn money during their time in the US, they are still required to file Form 8843 with the IRS. This form is an informational statement required by the IRS for nonresidents for tax purposes and should be submitted for every nonresident taxpayer present in the US at any point during the previous calendar year.
If you are using Sprintax to file your tax return (i.e. 1040-NR), your Form 8843 will be included in the forms generated, so you do not need to file this form separately. However, if you have no income and are only filing Form 8843, you should print and mail it to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Centre, Austin, TX 73301-0215, by the due date (including extensions) for filing Form 1040-NR. The deadline for filing Form 8843 in 2025, along with any tax return that is due, is April 15, 2025. If you had no US income and are only filing Form 8843, the deadline is June 15, 2025.
It is important to note that each individual must submit their own Form 8843 in a separate envelope. The form can be completed with your name as it appears on your passport and your addresses. If you have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), you can write it in the top right box. However, you do not need an SSN or ITIN if you are only filing Form 8843.
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International students must file a state tax return
International students in the United States are required to file a tax return as a condition of their visa. However, not all international students will pay taxes to the American government. There are a few key points that international students should be aware of when it comes to filing a state tax return.
Firstly, international students on F-1 visas are generally considered nonresident aliens by the IRS. This means that they are subject to special rules regarding the taxation of their income. As a nonresident alien, you will need to file Form 1040-NR (federal tax return) to assess your federal income and taxes. Additionally, you must file Form 8843 with the IRS, even if you did not earn any income in the US. This form is required for all international students and their dependents, and it must be filed separately for each family member.
Secondly, in addition to federal tax forms, you may also be required to file a state tax return, depending on the state you are in. Each state has its own tax system and regulations, and foreign students may have to file a state tax return and pay state income tax even when no federal return is due. It is important to review the guidelines for your specific state to determine your state tax filing requirements.
Thirdly, international students can benefit from tax treaties between the US and their home country. The US has income tax treaties with 65 countries, which may result in reduced tax rates or exemptions for international students. To claim a tax treaty benefit, you must be a nonresident for tax purposes, have a US source of income, be on an eligible visa (F1, J-1, or H1-B), and have been a resident of certain countries before coming to the US.
Finally, it is important to note that there are multiple ways to file your tax return. You can choose to do it yourself by downloading the forms from the IRS website and mailing them in, or you can use a service like Sprintax, which is specifically designed for nonresident tax filers. While professional tax preparation services charge a fee, they can help ensure that your tax return is accurate and that you claim any refunds or deductions you may be entitled to.
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International students can use Sprintax to file taxes
The US tax system is complex, and international students may not be aware of their filing and taxation obligations. International students on F-1, J-1, M-1, and Q visas are liable to pay federal and state income taxes on their US-sourced income. Most international students on an F-1 visa are considered nonresident aliens in the US and are required to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) for income from US sources.
Sprintax is a platform that helps international students file their taxes. It is the nonresident partner of choice for TurboTax and the only online federal and state self-prep tax software for nonresidents in the US. By creating a Sprintax account, international students can easily prepare a fully compliant 1040NR (nonresident tax return) and Form 8843 tax documents.
Sprintax will help you determine if you are a nonresident or resident. If you are a nonresident, the software will generate your completed tax return or Form 8843. If you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes, you won't be able to continue using Sprintax and will need to seek assistance from a different tax professional.
Sprintax will also help you determine your US tax status and eligibility for a US tax treaty. It will figure out if you need to file a state return and, if so, will create your state return along with your federal return.
To use Sprintax, you will need to use a special code that you can find in Atlas. If you can no longer access Atlas, you can contact the relevant office for an individual Sprintax code. After logging in to Sprintax, you will answer a series of questions about the time you have spent in the US over recent years, and Sprintax will then determine your tax status.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can get state tax refunds. However, it depends on the state and the individual's residency status. Most F-1 students are considered nonresident aliens by the IRS and are therefore required to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) for income from US sources.
International students can use online tax filing solutions such as Sprintax, which is the nonresident partner of TurboTax, to prepare their state tax returns. They can also submit their tax forms by mail to the Internal Revenue Service Center in Texas, USA.
International students must file their tax returns annually, usually by April 18th, for the preceding year. After filing, they will receive a refund if they have overpaid their taxes.
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