Free Tax Filing Guide for F1 International Students (2024-2025)

The landscape of tax filing services for international students has historically been dominated by expensive options that place a significant financial burden on students. Traditional services like Sprintax charge $104.90 for a complete tax filing package, breaking down to $54.95 for federal returns and an additional $49.95 for state returns. Glacier Tax offers a more limited service at $49, but this only covers federal returns, leaving students to figure out state taxes on their own.

In stark contrast to these costly options, F1 Tax Return provides our comprehensive service completely free of charge. This isn't just a pricing decision – it's a reflection of our core mission and values. We firmly believe that tax compliance shouldn't create financial stress for international students who are already managing the considerable expenses of studying abroad.

One of the most crucial aspects of F1 student status that many international students don't initially realize is the universal requirement to file tax documents with the IRS. This requirement applies to every international student who held F1 status in the United States during the 2024 tax year, regardless of their employment or income situation. The filing requirement encompasses students who worked on campus, those who participated in CPT or OPT programs, and even those who didn't earn any income at all during their stay in the United States.

Students who earned income through any U.S. source must report these earnings to the IRS. This includes wages from on-campus employment, earnings from CPT or OPT positions, interest earned from U.S. bank accounts, and any scholarships or fellowships that covered living expenses. Even seemingly minor sources of income, such as small amounts of bank interest or temporary work stipends, must be reported on your tax return.

Notably, even if you spent the entire year focusing solely on your studies and didn't earn any income whatsoever, you still have a filing obligation. In this case, you must submit Form 8843, which serves as a statement for exempt individuals and helps the IRS track your presence in the United States for tax purposes. Our platform guides you through the process of completing Form 8843 and ensures that you meet all your tax obligations as an F1 student.

Required Tax Forms: A Comprehensive Overview

The specific forms you need to file depend on your individual circumstances during the tax year. For students who did not earn any income in 2024, the process is relatively straightforward. You'll need to complete Form 8843, and our platform will guide you through this process step by step, ensuring you provide all necessary information accurately.

For students who earned income during 2024, the filing requirements are more extensive. You'll need to submit Form 8843 as well as Form 1040NR, which is the U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return. This form serves as your main tax return document, reporting all your U.S. source income and calculating your tax obligations. Additionally, you'll need to complete Schedule OI (Other Information), which provides the IRS with important details about your visa status and presence in the United States.

If you received income reported on a 1099-MISC form, you'll also need to complete Schedule 1, which reports additional income and adjustments to income. For students residing in Illinois, our platform automatically generates the necessary state tax forms, ensuring complete compliance with both federal and state tax requirements.

Document Collection and Organization

To facilitate a smooth tax filing process, it's essential to gather all necessary documents before beginning. These documents fall into several categories. First, you'll need identification documents including your passport, F1 visa, I-20 form, and Social Security Number (SSN). These documents verify your identity and immigration status for tax purposes.

Next, you'll need income documentation. If you worked during 2024, your employer should have provided you with Form W-2 by January 31, 2025. This form reports your wages and the amount of taxes withheld from your paychecks. If you earned interest from a U.S. bank account, you should receive Form 1099-INT. Any miscellaneous income will be reported on Form 1099-MISC.

Illinois state tax filing introduces additional considerations for international students residing in the state. As an Illinois resident, you're required to report your income to both federal and state tax authorities. The Illinois state tax rate is fixed at 4.95% of your net income, which is calculated after applying certain deductions and exemptions. Our platform automatically determines your Illinois tax obligations based on the information you've already provided in your federal return, ensuring consistency across all your tax documents.

The Illinois tax return process involves multiple forms that work together to accurately report your income and calculate your tax liability. The primary form, IL-1040, serves as your main state tax return. Our system automatically transfers relevant information from your federal return to your state forms, eliminating the risk of transcription errors and ensuring that all income is properly reported to state authorities.

On-Campus Employment Income

Many international students work on campus during their studies, and this income requires special attention during tax filing. On-campus employment typically results in a W-2 form from your university employer. Our system helps you properly report this income while ensuring you maintain compliance with F1 visa work restrictions. We also help you understand how your on-campus earnings affect your overall tax liability and guide you through reporting any tax withholding that occurred throughout the year.

CPT and OPT Income Reporting

For students participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), income reporting becomes more complex. These programs allow you to work off-campus while maintaining your F1 status, but they come with specific tax reporting requirements. Our platform helps you properly document these earnings, ensuring that your tax returns accurately reflect both your employment status and income while maintaining compliance with both immigration and tax regulations.