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Yes. Under Treasury Regulation §301.7701(b)-8, Form 8843 is required for F-1 and J-1 visa holders who are classified as nonresident aliens, regardless of income. According to IRS Publication 519, this form establishes your nonresident alien status and exempts certain days from counting toward the Substantial Presence Test. With over 1.1 million international students in the U.S. (IIE Open Doors 2024 Report), nearly all must file Form 8843. We prepare it for free - it's included automatically.

No catch. We make money from optional $30 state returns. Most students need state returns anyway, so it works out. We believe federal filing should be accessible to everyone, not a $100+ luxury. We don't sell your data, we don't upsell 'audit protection,' and we don't have hidden fees.

Not the mainstream ones. TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA do not support Form 1040-NR, the required form for nonresident aliens under IRC §871. TaxAct does support 1040-NR e-filing, but its interface is not tailored for international students. H&R Block's separate Expat Tax Services starts at $119 for DIY, but it's designed for U.S. citizens living abroad, not nonresident aliens filing 1040-NR. If you're an F-1 student classified as a nonresident alien per IRS Publication 519, you legally must file Form 1040-NR. Filing the wrong form can trigger IRS notices, potential penalties under IRC §6662, and complications with your visa status through USCIS.

We generate paper returns, which you mail to the IRS. According to IRS.gov, paper-filed federal returns typically take 6 to 8 weeks to process. (Note: Form 1040-NR can be e-filed through authorized IRS e-file providers such as Sprintax and TaxAct, which may result in faster processing.) State refund timelines vary (California FTB estimates 4-6 weeks; New York DTF estimates 6-8 weeks). Once processed, the IRS will send your refund by check or direct deposit depending on what you specify on your return. We provide customized mailing instructions so you know exactly where to send your forms.

We fully support California (Form 540NR), New York (IT-203), and Illinois (IL-1040). According to the IIE Open Doors 2024 Report, California and New York rank #1 and #2 for international student enrollment. We also support 9 no-income-tax states (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, Tennessee, and New Hampshire) where no state return is required.

Sprintax has been around longer, sure. They also charge over $100 for something we do for free. Our forms are identical - IRS-compliant 1040-NR, Form 8843, all applicable schedules. The only difference? We don't believe in charging international students an arm and a leg for basic tax compliance. See our complete comparison of free filing options.

Yes. We use 256-bit encryption, the same standard used by banks. We never permanently store your SSN - it's only used to populate your forms. Your tax data is encrypted at rest, and you can delete it at any time. We never sell your data to third parties. Period.

Filing correctly actually protects your visa status. The IRS requires F-1 and J-1 students to file, even with $0 income (Form 8843 per IRC §7701(b)). Not filing, or filing the wrong form, can create complications with USCIS during green card applications (Form I-485) or visa renewals. USCIS specifically reviews tax compliance history as part of adjustment of status applications. We ensure you're fully IRS-compliant.

We calculate this automatically using the Substantial Presence Test (SPT) as defined in IRC §7701(b) and detailed in IRS Publication 519, Chapter 1. Both F-1 and J-1 students are classified as 'exempt individuals' for their first 5 calendar years under IRC §7701(b)(5)(E)(ii). (J-1 teachers and researchers have a separate 2-year exemption under §7701(b)(5)(E)(i), but J-1 students follow the same 5-year rule as F-1 students.) During this exempt period, days do not count toward the 183-day SPT threshold, meaning most are classified as nonresident aliens. Our system handles the determination automatically.

You'll typically need: W-2 forms from any U.S. employers, 1042-S forms (for scholarship, fellowship, or treaty income), 1099-MISC/DIV/INT forms (if applicable), your passport and visa, your I-94 travel record (available at i94.cbp.dhs.gov), and any documentation of scholarship or stipend amounts. We'll guide you through exactly what's needed for your situation - no surprises.

No - OPT and CPT income is still subject to federal and state income tax and is reported on your 1040-NR just like regular wages (per IRS Publication 519, Chapter 8). However, F-1 students on OPT or CPT remain exempt from FICA taxes under IRC §3121(b)(19), as long as they are classified as nonresident aliens. Working on OPT doesn't reset or shorten your 5-year exemption period. We fully support returns with OPT/CPT income.

It depends. Under IRC §117, amounts used for tuition and required fees are generally not taxable. Stipends covering living expenses are typically taxable and will appear on a 1042-S form (per IRS Publication 970 and Publication 519). If your country has a tax treaty with the U.S., part or all of your stipend may be exempt. For example, Chinese students can directly exempt scholarship income under Article 20(b) of the U.S.-China treaty. Indian students benefit from Article 21(2), which grants access to the same deductions available to U.S. residents, helping offset taxable stipend income. We walk you through treaty benefits during the filing process.

According to IRS Publication 901, the U.S. maintains income tax treaties with over 60 countries (the exact count fluctuates as treaties are added, terminated, or suspended). Common treaty articles for students include Article 20 (Students and Trainees) and Article 21 (Other Income). For example, Chinese students can claim up to $5,000 in wage exemption under Article 20(c), and South Korean students can claim $2,000 under Article 21(1). See our complete guide to tax treaty benefits for all 33 supported countries. We automatically check treaty eligibility during your filing.

Under the general rule of IRC §6072(a), the federal tax filing deadline for nonresident aliens with wage income is April 15, 2026 for tax year 2025. Nonresident aliens without wages subject to withholding have until June 15 under IRC §6072(c). Form 8843 alone (for those with no U.S. income) is also due June 15 per the instructions for Form 1040-NR. You can file for an automatic 6-month extension using Form 4868, moving the deadline to October 15. Important: an extension to file is not an extension to pay. Any tax owed is still due by April 15 to avoid interest and penalties under IRC §6651. State deadlines generally align with the federal deadline but vary.

Possibly. Under the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. §5314), if your foreign financial accounts had a combined value exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) electronically with the Treasury Department by April 15 (with automatic extension to October 15). Non-willful penalties under 31 U.S.C. §5321 can reach approximately $16,117 per report (inflation-adjusted for 2025), assessed on a per-report basis as clarified by the Supreme Court in Bittner v. United States (2023). Additionally, if your foreign financial assets exceed $50,000 on the last day of the tax year (or $75,000 at any time), Form 8938 may be required under IRC §6038D. We flag these requirements during your filing.

Yes, if you earned any U.S.-sourced income during the period you were here, you must file a 1040-NR for that tax year. If you had zero U.S. income but held F-1 or J-1 status at any point during the year, you still need to file Form 8843. There's no minimum time threshold - even one day of F-1/J-1 status in a calendar year triggers the Form 8843 requirement.

Teaching and research assistantships are generally treated as wages and will appear on a W-2, meaning they're subject to federal and state income tax withholding. However, F-1 and J-1 students are exempt from FICA taxes under IRC §3121(b)(19). Some universities incorrectly withhold FICA from nonresident alien students. If your W-2 shows amounts in boxes 4 or 6, your first step is to request a FICA tax refund from your university's payroll department. If they cannot or will not refund you, you can then file IRS Form 843 (with Form 8316 attached) directly with the IRS.

Unfortunately, no. Under IRC §25A and §221, nonresident aliens are not eligible for most education-related tax credits or deductions available to U.S. residents. This includes the American Opportunity Credit (worth up to $2,500/year), the Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000/year), and the student loan interest deduction (up to $2,500/year). These exclusions are outlined in IRS Publication 519, Chapter 5. Tax treaty benefits (IRS Publication 901) are the primary avenue for reducing your tax burden as an international student.

Under IRC §871(a), U.S.-sourced investment income (classified as FDAP income) is taxable for nonresident aliens at a flat 30% rate, unless reduced by a tax treaty. Many treaties reduce dividend withholding to 15%. Interest from U.S. bank deposits is generally exempt under IRC §871(i)(2)(A). Capital gains from stock sales are generally not taxable for nonresident aliens under IRC §871(a)(2) unless you're present in the U.S. for 183+ days in the tax year. We handle all of these scenarios on your 1040-NR.

Per IRS Notice 2014-21 and Revenue Ruling 2019-24, cryptocurrency is treated as property, not currency, for federal tax purposes. If you sold, traded, or otherwise disposed of crypto during the year, any gains may be reportable. For nonresident aliens, U.S.-sourced crypto gains are generally not taxable under IRC §871(a)(2) unless you meet the 183-day presence test. If you received crypto as payment for U.S. work, that's treated as ordinary income on your 1040-NR. Since the 2022 tax year, the IRS has required all filers of Forms 1040, 1040-SR, and 1040-NR to answer a digital asset question on their return.

Generally, no. Under IRC §6013(a)(1), nonresident aliens cannot file jointly using the standard Married Filing Jointly status. There is a special election under IRC §6013(g) that allows a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be treated as a resident alien and file jointly, but this election causes your worldwide income to become taxable and has long-term implications (it can only be revoked once). We recommend consulting a tax professional before choosing this election. If both spouses are nonresident aliens, you each file separate 1040-NR returns.

As a nonresident alien under IRC §871, the U.S. only taxes your U.S.-sourced income, not worldwide income. This is a key distinction from resident aliens and U.S. citizens, who are taxed on worldwide income under IRC §61. Money earned abroad, foreign bank interest, or income from investments in your home country is not reportable on your U.S. tax return. IRS Publication 519, Chapter 2 provides the complete rules for determining U.S.-sourced vs. foreign-sourced income.

File as soon as possible. The IRS can still assess penalties and interest on late returns, but the situation is far better addressed proactively than ignored - especially if you're planning to apply for a green card or change visa status. We can help you prepare prior-year returns going back several years. Each year requires the forms that were current at that time, which we handle for you.

The mailing address depends on your state of residence and whether you're enclosing a payment. We include a customized mailing cover sheet with your completed return packet that tells you exactly where to send each form, federal and state, along with instructions on how to track delivery. We recommend using USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of timely filing.

Over-withholding is the most common reason international students receive a refund. If your employer withheld more federal or state tax than you owe, which happens frequently when employers don't account for treaty benefits (IRS Publication 901) or use incorrect withholding rates from IRS Publication 15-T, filing your return is how you reclaim that money. Many international students receive refunds of $800 to $1,200+ just by filing correctly.

Yes. Each tax year is filed separately, and the IRS has records of your entry dates and any W-2s or 1042-S forms issued under your SSN or ITIN. If you've missed years, those outstanding obligations don't disappear. We can prepare returns for prior years - just let us know which years need to be filed.