Douglas Olsen
International students studying in a country different from their country of origin may have to file income tax returns. The process of filing taxes varies depending on the country and the student's residency status. For instance, in the United States, international students must file their tax returns each year, and they may have to file both federal and state tax returns. In Canada, international students must determine their residency status to understand their income tax return filing requirements.
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What You'll Learn
Understanding your residency status
United States:
In the US, international students on F, J, M, or Q visas are typically considered "exempt individuals" for their first five years in the country. This means they are exempt from social security and Medicare taxes. Most F-1 students are classified as nonresident aliens by the IRS, and they need to file Form 1040-NR (federal tax return) to assess their federal income and taxes. Even if you didn't earn any income, you still need to file Form 8843 with the IRS by the specified deadline. Additionally, depending on the state you reside in, you may need to file a state tax return as well.
Canada:
In Canada, your residency status for income tax purposes is based on the residential ties you establish with the country. If you have significant residential ties and stay in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you are considered a resident for income tax purposes. On the other hand, if you do not have significant residential ties and stay in Canada for less than 183 days, you are considered a non-resident. To get an opinion on your residency status, you can complete and submit Form NR74 to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). They will determine your income tax return filing requirements based on your residency status.
It is important to remember that the requirements and deadlines for filing tax returns may vary depending on your specific circumstances and the country you are studying in. Always refer to the official government sources and seek professional advice if needed to ensure you are complying with the applicable tax laws and regulations.
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Required forms and how to obtain them
As an international student, the forms you need to file your tax return will depend on your residency status, the type of income you have, and the country you are studying in.
United States
In the US, international students are required to file a tax return as a condition of their visa, but not everyone will pay taxes to the American government. Most F-1 students are considered nonresident aliens by the IRS and are exempt from social security and Medicare taxes.
If you are a nonresident alien, you will need to file Form 1040-NR (federal tax return) to assess your federal income and taxes. Even if you did not earn any money during your time in the US, you will still need to file Form 8843 with the IRS by the deadline. This form is not an income tax return but a statement required by the US government for certain nonresident aliens who are in the US on F-1, J-1, F-2 or J-2 visas. If you received US-sourced income during the calendar year, you will need to file Form 8843 and most likely Form 1040-NR to complete your tax return.
Additionally, you will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN). If you don’t have one, you’ll need to apply for one in conjunction with filing your tax return by filling out a W-7. Depending on your income, you may also need W-2s, 1042-S’s, and 1099s, which will be mailed to you from your university and employer.
Canada
In Canada, international students must determine their residency status to know how they will be taxed. If you are a non-resident of Canada for tax purposes, you will need to follow the filing requirements for non-residents. You are a non-resident of Canada if you do not establish significant residential ties with Canada and stay in the country for less than 183 days during the year. To get an opinion about your residency status, complete and submit Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (entering Canada) to the CRA.
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Deadlines for filing
As an international student, it is crucial to meet the deadlines for filing your tax returns to avoid fines and penalties and to maintain your visa status and future Green Card applications. Here is a detailed overview of the deadlines for filing international student tax returns:
Form 8843:
All international students in the United States, regardless of income, must file Form 8843. This form is informational and notifies the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of your presence in the country. The deadline for submitting Form 8843 is April 15 or the following Monday if the 15th falls on a weekend. For the year 2025, the deadline is Monday, April 15, 2025.
Federal Tax Returns:
If you had income from US sources during the previous calendar year, you will likely need to file a federal tax return in addition to Form 8843. The federal tax return deadline is typically the same as Form 8843, which is April 15 or the following Monday. For federal tax returns, you will typically need to file Form 1040-NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, depending on your situation.
State Tax Returns:
In addition to federal taxes, international students may also be required to file state tax returns, depending on the state they reside in. State tax return deadlines vary by state, so it is important to check the specific deadline for the state in which you reside or earned income.
Extension Requests:
If you are unable to meet the tax return deadline, you may be able to request an extension. To do so, you must file Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File US Individual Income Tax Return by the original deadline. This will provide you with an additional six months to file your tax return, but it does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed.
Late Filing Considerations:
It is important to prioritize meeting the tax return deadlines. Late filing can result in fines and penalties, and it may also jeopardize your visa status and future Green Card applications. If you expect to miss the deadline, it is recommended to seek professional advice or contact the IRS directly for guidance.
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How to file
As an international student, you must file a tax return as a condition of your visa. However, not everyone will pay taxes to the American government. International students are entitled to a number of benefits and exemptions, so many will not owe anything.
Firstly, you will need to determine your residency status. If you are a non-resident alien for tax purposes, you will need to file Form 1040-NR (federal tax return) to assess your federal income and taxes. Even if you did not earn any money during your time in the US, you will still need to file Form 8843 with the IRS. If you had no US income and are only filing IRS Form 8843, the deadline is 15 June 2025. If you are not able to file your federal income tax return by the deadline, you may be able to get an automatic 6-month extension.
If you received US-sourced income during the calendar year, you will need to file Form 8843 and most likely Form 1040NR to complete your tax return. You will also need your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you don’t have one, you’ll need to apply for one in conjunction with filing your tax return by filling out a W-7.
Depending on whether you have wages, you will need to file taxes by the following deadline: Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement (if applicable). This form shows how much you earned last year and how much was taken out for taxes. Employers mail W-2 forms to current and former employees. You will only receive this form if you have been employed. Many employers allow you to print your W-2 online.
You will receive a 1042-S form from your school or institution if you received a taxable scholarship (such as a stipend or housing allowance). You may also receive a 1099 form if you earned rental income, investment income, or if you worked as an independent contractor.
You will need to print off the forms and mail them to the IRS. The IRS does not allow electronic filing (efile) for nonresident aliens, so all international students will need to send in their tax return by mail.
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Benefits of filing
International students who have spent time in a country other than their country of citizenship during the previous calendar year may need to file an international tax return. While this may sound daunting, there are several benefits to filing taxes as an international student.
Firstly, filing taxes is necessary to remain compliant with the law and visa obligations. All international students in the US, for example, must file at least Form 8843 to maintain their legal status under F, J, M, and Q visas, regardless of whether they earned income in the country. Filing taxes is also a requirement for certain visa programs, such as the F-1 visa, which is the most common visa for international students in the US.
Secondly, filing taxes may result in a refund for the international student. This can occur if the student qualifies for a refund due to tax treaties and a lack of significant income earned in the host country. The US, for instance, has income tax treaties with 65 countries, and these treaties can often reduce or eliminate taxes on various types of income, such as pensions, interest, and dividends. In such cases, international students may have overpaid their taxes and are entitled to a refund.
Thirdly, filing taxes can help protect the taxation of worldwide income. By filing taxes in their host country, international students can ensure that they are only taxed on their income earned in that country and not on their global income. This is especially beneficial for students who have multiple sources of income from different countries.
Lastly, filing taxes can provide a record of income and tax compliance, which can be important for future visa applications or other administrative purposes. It is also an opportunity to claim deductions or exemptions that the student may qualify for, which can reduce their overall tax burden.
While the process of filing an international student tax return may vary depending on the country and individual circumstances, it is important to stay compliant with tax laws and take advantage of any benefits or exemptions that may apply.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, every international student is required to file a tax return. However, not everyone will pay taxes to the American government.
You will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN). If you didn't earn any money, you will still need to file Form 8843 with the IRS.
The IRS deadline to file federal tax returns is April 15 or April 18, depending on the year. State deadlines will differ, and not all US states require that you file a state tax return.
You can file your tax return by downloading and completing the relevant forms, then printing and mailing them to the Internal Revenue Service Center in Texas. Alternatively, you can use a professional tax preparation service like Sprintax, or seek advice from a certified public accountant (CPA).
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