Ibrahim Gardner
International students and scholars with income sources and levels typical of students and scholars at Yale University are required to file IRS Form 8843. Form 8843 is not a U.S. income tax return, but rather an informational statement required by the IRS for nonresidents for tax purposes. It should be submitted for every nonresident taxpayer present in the U.S. at any point during the previous calendar year, including spouses, partners, and children. The form can be filled out online with Sprintax, or printed and mailed to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs to file Form 8843? | Non-resident international students and scholars in the U.S. with or without income sources. |
| What is Form 8843? | An informational statement for tax purposes, not a U.S. income tax return. |
| When to file Form 8843? | By 15 April 2025, along with any tax returns. The deadline is 15 June 2025 if you had no U.S. income. |
| Where to send Form 8843? | Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215. |
| What if Form 8843 is not filed? | There is no explicit penalty, but it may cause complications when applying for U.S. visas or residency in the future. |
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What You'll Learn
International students with no income still need to file Form 8843
International students in the US with no income still need to file Form 8843. This form is an informational statement required by the IRS for nonresidents for tax purposes. It should be submitted for every nonresident taxpayer present in the US at any point during the previous calendar year. This includes spouses, partners, and children.
Form 8843 is not a US income tax return, so even if you have no income, you must still file this form. It is important to file before the deadline to avoid any potential fines and penalties. If you had no US income and are only filing Form 8843, the deadline is usually June 15. By not filing on time, you may not exclude the days you were present in the United States, which could result in you being considered a US resident under the substantial presence test.
When filling out the form, you should follow the instructions to determine which sections you must fill out and which you can leave blank. Complete the top portion of the form with your name (as it appears on your passport) and 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, and you can leave this box blank if you do not have either of them.
If you are considered a resident for tax purposes, you are not required to file Form 8843. If your visa status has changed in the past year, or you believe you have a complicated tax issue, please consult the IRS or a qualified tax accountant.
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Form 8843 is not a US income tax return
If you are a nonresident alien for tax purposes, you must file Form 8843, even if you had no US income. This form is not the same as a tax return, and you do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file it. However, if you have been assigned one, you must include it on Form 8843.
The form requires your personal details, including your name, address, and visa status. It is important to note that if you have earned income in the US, you must file a tax return (Form 1040-NR) in addition to Form 8843.
The deadline for filing Form 8843 in 2025 is April 15, 2025, along with any tax returns. If you had no US income and are only filing Form 8843, the deadline is extended to June 15, 2025. It is important to meet these deadlines to avoid potential fines and penalties.
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How to fill out Form 8843
Form 8843 is a tax form used by foreign nationals to document the number of days spent outside the US and help determine tax responsibility. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fill out Form 8843:
Part 1: Personal Details
Provide your personal details as they appear on your passport. Include your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you have one. Generally, an SSN or ITIN is not required to file Form 8843, but if you have been assigned one, it must be included. The exception is for those who can be claimed as dependents on a US tax return; these dependents must have either an SSN or ITIN. Additionally, provide your address in your home country.
Part 1: Visa and Immigration Status
Indicate your visa type (F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2) and the first date of entry into the United States using that visa. Also, mention your current immigration status, which is usually the same as your visa type. However, if your immigration status has changed since your entry, provide the date of approval for your change of status.
Part 1: Days Spent in the United States
Count and record the total number of days you were physically present in the United States. If you are a student, spouse, or dependent of a student in F or J status, leave this section blank. For other statuses, such as scholars, visiting professors, researchers, or interns, continue to the next section.
Part 2: Academic Information
If you are a teacher or trainee, provide details of the academic institution or program you were involved in during the previous year. Answer the remaining questions according to your specific circumstances.
Submission and Mailing:
Form 8843 must be signed and dated to complete the filing process. If you are attaching Form 8843 to your income tax return (Form 1040-NR), mail it to the address provided in the tax return instructions. However, if you have no income and are only filing Form 8843, mail it to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215, by the due date, including any extensions. The filing deadline for Form 8843 is usually April 15th for returns for the previous year.
Additionally, each dependent, including spouses and children, must submit their own Form 8843 in a separate envelope, even if they have no income.
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Deadlines for filing Form 8843
Form 8843 is an informational statement required by the IRS for nonresident taxpayers present in the US at any point during the previous calendar year, including spouses, partners, and children. It is not a US income tax return.
The deadline for filing Form 8843, along with any tax return that is due, is typically 15 April. If you had no US income and are only filing Form 8843, the deadline is usually 15 June. It is important to file before the deadline to avoid any potential fines and penalties. By not filing on time, you may not exclude the days you were present in the United States, which could result in you being considered a US resident under the substantial presence test.
If you are filing Form 1040-NR, your Form 8843 will be included in the forms generated, so you do not need to file it separately. However, if you have no income and are only filing Form 8843, you should print it out and mail it to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215, by the due date (including extensions) for filing Form 1040-NR. Currently, there is no option to file Form 8843 online.
It is recommended that you choose tracking and receipt confirmation when mailing Form 8843, as the receipt confirmation will be your only proof that you have mailed the form. The IRS will not send you any confirmation of receipt.
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Potential penalties for not filing Form 8843
If you are an international student or a nonresident alien in the US, you are required to file Form 8843. This form is a statement that you file for the US Government to notify them of your nonresident status. It is important to note that this form is not an income tax return, and you will need to file it even if you had no US income. The deadline for filing Form 8843 is usually 15 April, the same as the deadline for filing your tax return.
While there is no explicit penalty mentioned for not filing Form 8843, there may still be consequences. One possible consequence is that you may not be able to exclude the days you were present in the United States, which could result in you being considered a US resident under the substantial presence test. This could have implications for your tax residency status and future visa applications. Therefore, it is essential to file Form 8843 correctly and on time to avoid any potential issues.
In addition to the potential impact on your residency status, failing to file Form 8443 on time could also result in late filing fees and penalties. These fees are typically higher than late payment costs. It is always best to file your tax return as soon as possible, even if you cannot pay your tax bill in full. The penalty for late filing is usually 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month or part of the month that your return is late.
If you realize you have not filed Form 8843, you can still file it late. You can file Form 8843 for previous years along with your tax return for the current year. Attach a separate Form 8843 for each year you were present in the US. However, it is important to act promptly to resolve any potential issues.
It is worth noting that the consequences of not filing Form 8843 may depend on individual circumstances. While some sources suggest that there is no explicit penalty, others emphasize the potential impact on residency status and visa applications. Therefore, it is always best to seek expert advice and stay compliant with IRS requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Form 8843 is an informational statement required by the IRS for nonresidents for tax purposes. It is not a U.S. income tax return.
Every US international student and J-1 visa holder must file Form 8843. It should be submitted for every nonresident taxpayer present in the U.S. at any point during the previous calendar year, including spouses, partners, and children.
If you have no income and are only filing Form 8843, you should print it and mail it to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215, by the due date. If you have income, you must file Form 8843 along with Form 1040-NR.
There is no explicit penalty for not filing Form 8843. However, it is important to file the form correctly and on time to avoid potential fines and penalties, and to ensure you are not considered a U.S. resident under the substantial presence test.
