2027 tax season · 2026 returns
Best Tax Software for J-1 Visa Holders 2027
The short answer
For the 2027 tax season, a J-1 student who is a nonresident can use F1TaxReturn, which prepares Form 1040-NR and Form 8843 free. A J-1 researcher, professor or scholar, who is exempt for two years rather than five, is better served by Sprintax or Glacier Tax Prep, which both say they serve scholars, or a VITA site certified for foreign students and scholars.
We make F1TaxReturn and rank it first only for what it is best at. Every other entry is described from its maker's own pages, linked under Sources with the day we read them. Ranked on:
- It prepares Form 1040-NR and Form 8843 for the kind of J-1 visitor you are: a student, or a scholar or researcher.
- What it costs without a school code or licence.
- Whether it prepares your state return.
The list at a glance
| # | Option | Best for | Federal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F1TaxReturn | J-1 students | $0 |
| 2 | Sprintax | J-1 scholars and researchers | From $54.95 |
| 3 | Glacier Tax Prep | J-1 scholars whose institution licenses it | $49 |
| 4 | IRS VITA site | Free help for students and scholars | $0 |
| 5 | A CPA or enrolled agent | A J-1 who became a resident partway through a year | Varies |
The ranking, one by one
- 1
F1TaxReturn (ours)
Best for: J-1 students$0Federal return, no code or card
Form 1040-NR and Form 8843 are free for every nonresident student, with no school code, and one payment of $30 plus a $2 fee covers the state return in any of 9 states. For 2026 returns it also takes Form 1042-S and 1099-B and prepares amendments for $35.
- State returnYes: CA, NY, IL, MA, IN, MI, NC, AZ, NJ: $30 plus a $2 fee, one payment per returnNew for 2026 returns
- E-fileNo: No: a paper return you print, sign and mail
- Form 1042-SYes: Takes it: scholarships, fellowships and treaty-exempt payNew for 2026 returns
Watch out: For J-1 students only: it does not serve J-1 scholars, researchers or teachers. Paper only.
- 2
Sprintax
Best for: J-1 scholars and researchersFrom $54.95Federal return without a school code
Intuit describes Sprintax as serving international students, scholars and nonresident foreign professionals, and Sprintax says it e-files the federal return for eligible filers.
- State returnYes: From $49.95 each with its federal return; $59.95 for a state return only
- E-filePartly: Federal only, for eligible filers, it says; state returns are mailed
- Form 1042-SYes: Lists it among the forms to have ready
Watch out: Without a code, federal preparation lists from $54.95, each state from $49.95 and amendments from $79.95. Codes can run out, and state returns are mailed.
- 3
Glacier Tax Prep
Best for: J-1 scholars whose institution licenses it$49Federal return without a school licence
Glacier Tax Prep says it has worked with international students and scholars for over 25 years, and it is free where your institution licenses it.
- State returnNo: Not prepared, Glacier Tax Prep says
- E-fileNo: No: print, sign and mail, its home page says
- Form 1042-SPartly: Not for royalty or rental income on Form 1042-S (codes 10, 12 and 14)
Watch out: Federal only: Glacier Tax Prep says it does not prepare state returns. Without a licence, a code is $49. Print and mail.
- 4
IRS VITA site
Best for: Free help for students and scholars$0At a site with a foreign student volunteer
A volunteer certified for foreign students prepares the return and a second one checks it, free, and Form 1042-S wages and scholarships are in scope.
- State returnPartly: Depends on the site; ask before you book
- E-filePartly: E-filed, or mailed when it cannot be
- Form 1042-SYes: In scope for wages and scholarships
Watch out: Only sites with a certified volunteer prepare Form 1040-NR, and dual-status returns and FICA refund claims are out of scope.
- 5
A CPA or enrolled agent
Best for: A J-1 who became a resident partway through a yearVariesSet by the preparer
The usual route when no software takes your return: the year you switched to an H-1B, income from several countries, or a business of your own.
- State returnYes: Usually, any state
- E-fileYes: Usually
- Form 1042-SYes: Yes, any income form
Watch out: Fees vary. A paid preparer must sign your return with a PTIN; the IRS warns against one who bases the fee on your refund.
Not for a J-1 visitor who is a nonresident
Why these are not in the ranking.
- TurboTaxIntuit says TurboTax does not support Form 1040-NR; it sends nonresidents to Sprintax.Read the comparison
- FreeTaxUSAFreeTaxUSA says it does not support Form 1040-NR returns.Read the comparison
01How long is a J-1 visitor a nonresident?
A J-1 student is exempt from the substantial presence test for five calendar years. A J-1 teacher, researcher or trainee is exempt for two of the last six, so becomes a resident sooner. Our free resident alien test counts it for you.
02Can a J-1 researcher use F1TaxReturn?
Not yet: F1TaxReturn asks whether you are a student or on OPT, and serves J-1 students. A J-1 researcher or scholar should use Sprintax, Glacier Tax Prep or a VITA site certified for foreign students and scholars.
03Do J-1 visitors file Form 8843?
Yes, for every year they are exempt, income or not, and so does each J-2 family member, on their own form.
Sources and how we checked
We make F1TaxReturn, so we compared it with what each company says on its own pages, read on the dates below and linked, and with the IRS's own publications. A company's page is the best source for what it sells; where it does not say, the table says so instead of guessing. Prices change each season: check the company's page before you buy. How we research.
- Sprintax Returns: prices and e-filingSprintax, read October 29, 2026
- Does TurboTax handle Form 1040-NR for nonresident aliens?Intuit, read October 29, 2026
- Glacier Tax Prep: purchase an access codeGlacier Tax Prep, read October 29, 2026
- Glacier Tax Prep home pageGlacier Tax Prep, read October 29, 2026
- Publication 4011 (Rev. 10-2026), Foreign Student and Scholar Volunteer Resource GuideIRS, read October 22, 2026
- Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for AliensIRS, read October 29, 2026
- About Form 8843, Statement for Exempt IndividualsIRS, read October 29, 2026
- Topic 254, How to choose a tax return preparerIRS, read October 29, 2026
Guides that go deeper
More ranked lists
Head to head
Start With the Free One
F1TaxReturn prepares Form 1040-NR and Form 8843 free, with a guide that says what to sign and where to mail it. Free, once the final 2026 forms are published.