Filing Tax Returns: Turbotax For International Students

International students in the US on a temporary visa, such as an F-1 visa, are typically considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay. This means that they are taxed only on US-sourced income, and their tax responsibilities differ from those of US citizens and residents. While TurboTax is the biggest online tax preparation service in the US, it is only for US residents. F-1 international students should not use TurboTax, as they will be filing as a resident, which may result in fines and penalties. Instead, Sprintax, the official nonresident tax partner of TurboTax, can help international students prepare their nonresident tax returns online.

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F-1 visa holders must file taxes

F-1 visa holders are typically considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay in the US. This means that they will be taxed only on their US-sourced income. F-1 visa holders who are considered nonresident aliens must pay taxes on wages, salary, tips, investment income, prizes/awards, and taxable portions of scholarships and grants. They will need to file a federal tax return (Form 1040-NR) to report their federal income and taxes. Additionally, they may need to file a state tax return and pay state income tax, depending on the state they are in.

To file taxes as an F-1 visa holder, individuals will need to gather important documents, including their Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number (ITIN), their W-2 form from their employer, and any relevant 1099 or 1042-S forms for taxable scholarships or investment income. They can then use Sprintax, the official nonresident tax partner of TurboTax, to prepare their nonresident tax return online. Sprintax can help F-1 visa holders determine their tax residency status, prepare their Form 1040-NR, and check for allowable exemptions, deductions, and applicable international tax treaty agreements.

It is important to note that tax filing is a condition of the F-1 visa, and failure to file taxes before the deadline (typically April 15th) will result in a breach of visa conditions and may incur fines or penalties from the IRS. Even if an F-1 visa holder did not earn any income during their time in the US, they are still required to file Form 8843.

While some sources mention that TurboTax now offers an option for non-resident aliens, it is generally recommended that F-1 visa holders use Sprintax or seek assistance from a tax agent, accountant, or lawyer, as TurboTax is primarily designed for US residents. Incorrectly filing as a resident through TurboTax may result in inaccuracies and potential fines or penalties.

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Non-resident tax status

If you are an international student in the US, you will likely be considered a non-resident for tax purposes, and your tax responsibilities will differ from US citizens and residents. F-1 international students are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay in the US.

As a non-resident, you will only be taxed on your US-sourced income. This includes wages, salary, tips, investment income, prizes/awards, and taxable portions of scholarships and grants. You will need to file a federal tax return (Form 1040-NR) to report your federal income and taxes. Even if you did not earn money during your time in the US, you will still need to file Form 8843.

If you are a non-resident alien, you will need to file a non-resident tax return. TurboTax is a service for US residents, and if you use it to file your taxes, you will be filing as a resident. This means your tax return will be inaccurate and you may face fines and penalties. Instead, you should use Sprintax, the official non-resident tax partner of TurboTax. Sprintax is the only online federal and state self-prep tax software for non-residents in the US. By creating a Sprintax account, you can prepare a fully compliant 1040NR (non-resident tax return) and Form 8843. Sprintax will help you determine your tax residency status for free.

Additionally, as a non-resident, you may have to file a state tax return and pay state income tax, even when no federal return is due. This is because tax rates and deductions differ for each state in the US. However, nine states do not have any tax-filing requirements.

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Required documents

As an international student in the US, you are required to file a tax return if you earned an income in the US or received a stipend, grant, or allowance (over a certain amount). Even if you did not earn money during your time in the US, you will still need to file Form 8843 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number (ITIN)

This is a unique, nine-digit number assigned to each US citizen, permanent resident, and temporary (working) resident. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for an ITIN. Sprintax can help you apply for an ITIN by preparing and submitting a Form W-7 to the IRS.

W-2 Form

This is an IRS tax form provided by employers to report wages paid to employees and the taxes withheld.

1042-S Form

If you received a taxable scholarship (such as a stipend or housing allowance), you will receive this form from your school or institution.

1099 Form

If you received income from investments, you will need this form when filing your tax return. Your investment broker or bank will provide this form.

Form 8843

All international students in the US, whether they earned income or not, must file this form.

Form 1040-NR

If you earned income during the year, you should complete this federal tax return form to report your federal income and taxes.

It is important to note that TurboTax is a service for US residents, and filing with them as an international student will result in an inaccurate tax return. Instead, Sprintax, the official nonresident tax partner of TurboTax, is designed to meet the needs of international students and scholars in the US.

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Using Sprintax

Sprintax is the official nonresident tax partner of TurboTax. It is the only online federal and state self-prep tax software for nonresidents in the US.

Sprintax is designed to meet the needs of international students and scholars in the US. It can help you prepare your Form 1040NR and check for allowable exemptions, expenses, deductions, and over 65 different international tax treaty agreements that could result in you receiving a tax refund.

Sprintax can also help you apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) by preparing and submitting a Form W-7 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you are not eligible for a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for an ITIN in order to file your tax return correctly. Sprintax can guide you through your ITIN application.

If you made an error on a previous tax return, Sprintax can help you file an amended return for a fee.

Sprintax is free to use for students at partner universities for filing federal returns.

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State taxes

As an international student in the US, you will likely be considered a nonresident for tax purposes. This means that your tax responsibilities will differ from those of US citizens and residents. Most F-1 students are considered nonresident aliens by the IRS.

Sprintax is the official nonresident tax partner of TurboTax and is the only online federal and state self-prep tax software for nonresidents in the US. It can help you prepare your Form 1040NR (nonresident tax return) and Form 8843, as well as claim any allowable exemptions, expenses, deductions, and tax treaty benefits.

After completing your federal tax forms using Sprintax, you can fill out state tax forms with Sprintax for an additional fee. Not all states have an income tax, and the tax laws for those that do differ. However, the general rule is that any state return you must file is due on the same date as the US return.

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 depends 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, which can often reduce or eliminate US tax on various types of income.

If you have a simple Form 1040 return, you can file for free with TurboTax Free Edition. However, additional fees may apply for e-filing state returns.

Frequently asked questions