Most Popular
$0 Federal Filing
Form 1040-NR, Form 8843, all schedules included. No hidden fees, no surprises. Ever.
- 1040-NR
- Form 8843
- All Schedules
The Tax Prep Industry Has Been Overcharging You
Here's what other services charge international students for the exact same forms. See why TurboTax doesn't work for F-1 students
Sprintax
$54.95+
Federal filing
2+ hoursto complete- Confusing interface
- State return from $49.95 more
- Credit card only
Glacier Tax
$49
Federal filing
1+ hourto complete- Outdated UI
- No state filing support
- Can't use
TurboTax
N/A
Federal filing
N/Adoesn't work- Can't file 1040-NR
- Wrong form for F-1s
- Best value
F1TaxReturn
$0
Federal filing
15 minaverage completion- Same IRS forms
- 15 min average
- Supports 13 states
- State returns $30 + $2 fee
You save $72.90+ compared to Sprintax
On a federal and one state return: $104.90 at Sprintax's list prices, $32 here. See full pricing
Sprintax prices are “from” prices on its own website, checked October 18, 2026, so the saving is at least this. Many universities give students a Sprintax code that makes the federal return cheaper or free.Why F1TaxReturn
Built by F-1 Students,
for F-1 Students
We created what we wished existed when filing our own taxes.
15min
Average Completion Time
Plain English questions. No tax jargon. Just answer honestly, and we put your answers on the official forms.
13states
State Filing Supported
We prepare the state return in 4 states. In 9 more there's no state return to file: your federal return is all you mail.
- 4Return prepared
- 9No income tax
- 5Coming soon
Click a state to read its tax guide.
Your Visa Stays Safe
Incorrect tax filing can affect your F-1 status. We fill the official IRS and state forms, so you can check every line before you sign.
Is My Form Supported?
We fill in 24 federal and state forms and read your W-2 and 1099s. Type yours to check.
Pay Like You're Home
We're the only tax service that accepts UPI. Plus all major cards and PayPal.
Success Stories
Real Students. Real Refunds.
Join 1,000+ international students who refused to overpay for tax filing.
Refund$436
“I've been using F1TaxReturn for the last two years. Before using it, I spent time researching the tax rules and figuring out my taxes myself, so I always double-check the results. Both times, the numbers matched my own calculations, which gave me confidence in the service. As an international student, I know how confusing US taxes can get, especially with all the different rules. Having a way to verify my work without spending hours going through everything again is a big help.”
Refund$1,247
“I almost paid Sprintax $105 before I found F1TaxReturn. Same forms, same accuracy, $0. Got my refund in 3 weeks.”
Refund$892
“TurboTax literally couldn't help me. Said I needed 'specialized software.' F1TaxReturn took 12 minutes and all my forms were perfect.”
Refund$1,634
“As an Indian student, I had no idea about tax treaty benefits. F1TaxReturn automatically applied the US-India treaty and I got $400 more than I expected.”
Refund$756
“I was stressed about messing up my taxes and affecting my OPT. The step-by-step process made it impossible to make mistakes. Huge relief.”
Refund$436
“I've been using F1TaxReturn for the last two years. Before using it, I spent time researching the tax rules and figuring out my taxes myself, so I always double-check the results. Both times, the numbers matched my own calculations, which gave me confidence in the service. As an international student, I know how confusing US taxes can get, especially with all the different rules. Having a way to verify my work without spending hours going through everything again is a big help.”
Refund$1,247
“I almost paid Sprintax $105 before I found F1TaxReturn. Same forms, same accuracy, $0. Got my refund in 3 weeks.”
Refund$892
“TurboTax literally couldn't help me. Said I needed 'specialized software.' F1TaxReturn took 12 minutes and all my forms were perfect.”
Refund$1,634
“As an Indian student, I had no idea about tax treaty benefits. F1TaxReturn automatically applied the US-India treaty and I got $400 more than I expected.”
Refund$756
“I was stressed about messing up my taxes and affecting my OPT. The step-by-step process made it impossible to make mistakes. Huge relief.”
$1,147Avg. Refund
15 minAvg. Time
$0Federal return
FAQ
We've got answers.
Everything you need to know about filing taxes as an F-1 student.
Still have questions?01Do I need to file if I had no income?
Yes, Form 8843. Every F-1, J-1, M-1 or Q student who is a nonresident alien files Form 8843 for each year they were in the US, even with no income at all. Spouses and children on F-2 or J-2 file one each. If you had US income, you also file Form 1040-NR.
Form 8843, explained line by line02What does it cost?
Your federal return is free. A state return is $30 plus a $2 processing fee. There is nothing else to buy: no add-ons, no audit protection upsell, no fee to download your forms.
03Do you e-file?
No. We prepare paper returns that you print, sign and mail. Your download includes every form you need and mailing instructions for each one: which address, what to enclose, and how to get proof that you mailed it on time.
Where to mail Form 1040-NR and Form 884304Which forms do you support?
Form 1040-NR, Form 8843 and their schedules, and state returns for California, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts. The income you can enter is W-2, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV and 1099-MISC. We do not take Form 1042-S or 1099-B yet, and we do not prepare amendments, extensions or resident returns. Every form, and what to do about the ones we do not handle, is on one page.
Search the forms we support05Who is responsible for the accuracy of my return?
You are. We fill in the forms from your answers; you check them and sign. F1TaxReturn is a form-filling tool. It puts what you tell it on the official IRS and state forms. It is not a CPA, an enrolled agent or a tax adviser, and nobody reviews your return before you mail it. Check every line against your W-2s and other documents before you sign: your signature tells the IRS the return is true, correct and complete. Our Terms of Service say the same.
Terms of Service: accuracy and your responsibility06Can I get my money back?
Email support@f1taxreturn.com and we will get back to you. Write from the email address on your account, and say which tax year you paid for and what went wrong. Please leave your Social Security number and passport number out of the email.
07Which states do you support?
California, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts. If you only worked in a state with no income tax on wages, such as Texas, Florida or Washington, you have no state return to file.
State income tax for studentsTax Deadline
Your $1,147 Refund Is Waiting
Sprintax lists a federal and state return from $104.90. Here it's $32.
Join 1,000+ F-1 students who refused to overpay for tax filing.
- Free federal filing
- 15-minute average
- Official IRS forms
- No credit card required