Douglas Olsen
International students in the US are required to file a tax return each year, and doing so is mandatory. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a deadline of April 15 (or the following Monday if that falls on a weekend) to file tax returns covering the previous calendar year. International students must file Form 8843, which is an informational form that lets the IRS know how long they have been in the US. If they have received income in the previous calendar year, they will also need to file Form 1040-NR. International students with an F, J, or M visa who have been in the US for more than five years will need to file a nonresident tax return, and they may need to use a Social Security Number (SSN) or apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Deadline for filing tax returns | 15 April (or the following Monday if this falls on a weekend) |
| Who must file tax returns | All international students and their dependents, regardless of income |
| Form to be filled out by all international students | Form 8843 |
| Form to be filled out if you have received income in the last calendar year | Form 1040-NR |
| Form to be filled out if you are considered a resident for tax purposes | Form 1040 |
| Form to be filled out if you are considered a non-resident for tax purposes | Form 1040NR |
| Form to be filled out if you are an F-1 student | Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR EZ |
| Form to be filled out if you are a California resident | Form 540NR |
| Form to be filled out if you are employed | Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement |
| Form to be filled out if you have received scholarship or fellowship funds exceeding tuition and related fee charges | Form 1042-S |
| Tax preparation software | Sprintax, TurboTax, TaxAct |
| Tax preparation company | Tax-Aid |
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What You'll Learn
Deadlines for federal and state tax returns
As an international student in the US, you must file a federal tax return each year, even if you have no US-source income. The deadline for federal tax returns is usually April 15 or April 18. For 2025, the deadline is Monday, April 15.
In addition to federal tax returns, you may also need to file a state tax return, depending on the state you're in. State tax rates and deductions vary, and not all states require that you file a tax return on the state level. However, many do, so it's important to check your state's website for specific requirements and deadlines.
If you're an F-1 student, you are considered a nonresident alien by the IRS, and you will need to file Form 1040-NR (federal tax return) to assess your federal income and taxes. Even if you didn't earn any money, you will still need to file Form 8843 by the deadline. This form is required for all F-1 visa holders, regardless of income, to confirm their status and eligibility for certain benefits.
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 is only an extension of the deadline to file your tax return and not an extension of time to pay any money due.
It's important to note that the IRS does not allow electronic filing for nonresident aliens, so international students will need to mail their tax returns. You can use tax preparation software, such as Sprintax, or seek the help of a certified public accountant (CPA) to guide you through the process.
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Required forms for non-residents
International students in the US are classified as nonresident aliens for tax purposes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers you a nonresident alien if you are not a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) or do not pass their substantial presence test.
Every international student, along with their dependents, will need to file Form 8843 separately. This form is required by the IRS for tax purposes and must be filed to remain legal under F, J, M & Q visas, even if no income was earned in the US.
If you have received income in the last calendar year, you will need to file Form 8843 and most likely Form 1040-NR. Form 1040-NR, or the U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return, is used to report income subject to tax, such as wages, tips, scholarship and fellowship grants, and dividends. If you are considered a resident for tax purposes, use Form 1040 to file taxes.
Additionally, you may need to file Form W-2, which shows your earnings and taxes deducted for the previous year. You will only receive this form if you have been employed, and it is mailed by employers to current and former employees. Form 1042-S may also be applicable if you received scholarship or fellowship funds exceeding tuition and related fee charges.
If you cannot file your taxes by the due date, you can file Form 4868 to request an automatic extension. This form must be submitted by the original deadline of your tax return.
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How to file taxes without an SSN
International students and scholars are liable for taxation on any income earned in the United States from the beginning of their arrival in the country. This includes salary, scholarships, and money earned from U.S. bank accounts. Taxes for each calendar year are reported in the spring of the following year. Tax forms are filed with the U.S. federal government through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. state where the income was earned.
If you are an international student without a Social Security Number (SSN), you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS for tax filing purposes. To apply for an ITIN, you must submit a Form W-7, "Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number".
As an international student, you may need to file a 1099-NR if you have been in the U.S. for fewer than five years. You should also include Form 8843, Statement of Non-Residence, even if you had no income. If you have been in the U.S. for more than five years, you may only need to worry about Form 8843 and Form 1040-NR.
You can use software to prepare your tax return, but you cannot e-file it. If the software does not let you leave the SSN/ITIN field blank, enter something starting with 9, like 999-99-9999, to indicate that you do not have an SSN. Alternatively, you can try to use a free tax preparation program, but preparing a 1040-NR requires special certification.
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What to do if you paid too much tax
International students in the US are required to file a tax return as a condition of their visa. However, this does not mean that they will pay taxes to the American government. International students are entitled to a number of benefits and exemptions, and many will not owe anything. In fact, if you have paid too much tax, you may be entitled to a refund.
To get a refund, you must be a nonresident alien for tax purposes and file a proper tax return in the United States. The federal forms must be postmarked by April 18, while other forms, such as state tax returns and Form 8843, have different deadlines.
The purpose of filing a tax return is to report all sources of income to the government, what you have already paid, and what you still owe. It is also an opportunity to claim deductions or exemptions you may qualify for. At the end of the process, you calculate how much in total you should have paid. If you paid more than what you owe during the year, you get a refund. On the other hand, if you didn't pay enough, you have to pay the difference.
To file your tax return, 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 whether you had US-sourced income, you may also need W-2s, 1042-Ss, and 1099s, which will be mailed to you from your university and employer.
You can either file your tax forms yourself or use a tax preparation company. Many people in the United States use tax-preparation software or pay a tax-preparation company to prepare and file tax forms.
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How to get help filing taxes
Filing taxes as an international student in the US can be a daunting task. There are a number of ways to get help with filing your taxes. Here are some options:
School's International Student Center
Your school's international student center can be a great first point of contact for help with filing your taxes. They can provide guidance on the process and help you navigate the complexities of US tax filing for international students.
Professional Tax Advisor or Accountant
Consider consulting a qualified tax advisor or accountant, especially if you have a complicated tax situation or visa status changes. They can provide expert advice and ensure your tax return is accurate and compliant with US tax laws.
Online Tax Software
Online tax software, such as Sprintax, can be a helpful resource for international students. Sprintax is specifically designed for nonresident international students and scholars and can assist with federal and state tax returns. It can help you prepare the required forms, determine your residence status, and claim your maximum legal tax refund.
Glacier Tax Prep
Glacier Tax Prep is another online tax preparation software that can assist international students with their tax filing obligations. It prompts you to create a user account and guides you through the tax filing process.
IRS Website and Publications
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website provides comprehensive information on tax filing requirements and guidelines. You can refer to IRS Publication 970, Chapter 1, for details on taxable scholarship and fellowship grants. Additionally, IRS Publication 901 outlines information about US tax treaties with other countries.
TurboTax
While TurboTax is primarily designed for US residents, it can still be a useful resource for international students. However, it's important to note that using TurboTax as a nonresident may result in inaccurate filings and potential fines or penalties.
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Frequently asked questions
The deadline for international students to file their taxes in the US is April 15 or the following Monday if the date falls on a weekend.
All international students must file Form 8843. If you have received income in the previous calendar year, you will also need to file Form 1040-NR. If you are considered a resident for tax purposes, you will need to use Form 1040 instead.
International students can file their taxes by mailing Form 8843 directly to the IRS. Form 1040NR can be filed electronically on the IRS website. Alternatively, international students can use tax preparation software or pay a tax preparation company to help with filing their taxes.
