Filing Tax Returns: A Guide For International Students In The Us

International students in the US are required to file a tax return each year they are in the country. This includes federal and state tax returns for those who earned an income, and a non-employed federal form for those who did not. F-1 visa students are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes and must pay tax on income earned in the US, including OPT income. Students can use tax preparation software like Sprintax to determine their tax residency status and prepare their federal and state tax returns. The deadline for filing tax returns is usually April 15, and it's important to complete the forms correctly to avoid complications with future visa applications.

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Determining your tax residency status

To determine your tax residency status, you will need to answer a series of questions about your time in the U.S. and the types of visas you have used to enter the country. This is known as the Substantial Presence Test.

Software such as Sprintax can help you determine your tax residency status. After creating an account, you will be asked a series of questions, and the software will then determine your tax status. If you are a nonresident alien for tax purposes, you can use the system to prepare your federal and state tax returns.

Your tax filing status may change over time, so it is a good idea to review the guidelines each time you complete your taxes. Your tax filing status is only a tax filing status and does not mean that you are a resident for immigration or other purposes. Some students and scholars are considered resident tax filers even though they continue to have a nonimmigrant visa status.

If you are an international student on an F-1 visa, you are typically considered a nonresident alien for tax purposes. As 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 money during your time in the U.S., you will still need to file Form 8843 with the IRS by the deadline of April 15.

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Federal tax returns

International students on F-1 visas are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes and must pay federal income tax on their US-source income. This includes income earned from OPT (Optional Practical Training), which allows international students to work in the US after graduation. To determine your tax residency status, you can use tax preparation software like Sprintax, which is offered for free by some universities. Sprintax will help you prepare your federal tax return and determine which forms to fill out.

The federal tax return form for nonresident aliens is Form 1040-NR, which assesses your federal income and taxes. Even if you did not earn any income in the US, you are still required to file Form 8843 with the IRS by the deadline of April 15. If you had income from US sources, you will likely also need to file Form 1040NR to complete your tax return.

It is important to accurately determine your federal tax filing status as a resident or nonresident tax filer, as this will impact how you are taxed and which forms you need to fill out. Your tax filing status may change over time, so it is recommended to review the guidelines each time you complete your taxes.

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State tax returns

As an international student in the US, you may need to file a state tax return in addition to your federal tax return. This is because income taxes in the US may be imposed by federal, state, and even local governments.

The first step is to determine your federal tax filing status: nonresident tax filer or resident tax filer. This status determines how you are taxed and which forms you need to fill out. Generally, most international students and scholars who are on F and J visas are considered nonresidents for tax purposes. However, some can be considered ‘residents’ or ‘resident aliens’. This does not mean that the student is a resident – it is only a tax filing status. You will be considered a resident for tax purposes if you pass the substantial presence test.

As a nonresident for tax purposes, you only pay tax on income earned in the US. The amount of tax you’ll have to pay will depend on how much you earn, the tax rates of each state, and your entitlement to tax treaty benefits. The US has income tax treaties with 65 countries.

If you are a non-resident for tax purposes, you will be able to use Sprintax to prepare your federal tax return. Sprintax will help you complete form 1040NR or 1040NREZ and form 8843. Sprintax will enable you to compile all forms of US income, regardless of the type of form the income was reported on. You can prepare your federal tax return with Sprintax for free and prepare your state tax return for a fee.

Nine US states do not have any tax-filing requirements. The remaining states will have different tax rates and deductions, so the amount you will pay will depend on where you are. You can find out more about your state's tax requirements by checking your state's website.

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Tax software

International students in the US can use tax software to simplify the process of filing their tax returns. One such software is Sprintax, a cloud-based, user-friendly software that is available for free to students of partner universities. Sprintax helps international students and scholars on F-1, J-1, M-1, Q-1, or Q-2 visas to file their federal tax returns for free and state tax returns for a fee. It also helps international students to determine the forms they are required to file. For example, if an international student did not earn any income while in the US, they may not be required to file a federal tax return but will have to file Form 8843.

Sprintax also helps international students with their ITIN application. An ITIN is required to file tax returns correctly if an international student is not eligible for a Social Security Number. During tax season, ITIN processing times can take several months.

The University of Michigan also recommends GLACIER Tax Prep for F-1 OPT students or J-1 students on Academic Training. Additionally, commercial tax software such as Turbotax or H&R Block At Home™ can be purchased.

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Deadlines

As an international student in the US, you must file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year you are in the country. The federal deadline for this is usually in April, with state deadlines differing.

Federal Tax Return Deadlines

The federal deadline for filing your tax return is usually in April. For the 2024 tax year, the deadline is 15 April 2025. The deadline for the 2023 tax year was 18 April 2024.

State Tax Return Deadlines

In addition to filing a federal return, some students must also file a state tax return. Not all US states require that you file a tax return on the state level, but many do. Check your state's website to find out if you have state tax filing obligations and the deadline for filing.

Form 8843 Deadlines

All international students inside the United States must file Form 8843 each year, even if they didn't earn any money in the US. This form is due on 15 April 2025 for the 2024 tax year. If you had no US income and are only filing Form 8843, the deadline is 15 June 2025.

Frequently asked questions