Taxes
Do You Need to File Taxes?
Essential Reasons for Filing U.S. Taxes as a Nonresident
As a nonresident in the U.S., you're required to comply with all IRS regulations as part of your visa obligations. This includes filing tax forms—even if you haven’t worked during the year. Every nonresident in the U.S. must submit Form 8843 at minimum.
Key Point: Not Filing Taxes Could Affect Your Future Immigration Status
If you plan to apply for an H-1B visa or other visa types, U.S. immigration may ask for evidence of tax compliance. Missing this requirement could impact your ability to stay in the U.S., making it essential to fulfill your tax obligations each year.
Failing to file could also lead to penalties, fines, and interest if you owe taxes. On the other hand, you could be eligible for a refund, but only if you file your tax return.
Understanding Your Tax Residency Status
Tax Residency ≠Visa/Immigration Status.
Most international students and scholars on F, J, M, or Q visas are generally considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes.
- F-1 and J-1 students are automatically classified as nonresidents for their first five calendar years in the United States.
- J-1 scholars and researchers (and their dependents) are considered nonresidents for two out of the last six calendar years.
If you have been in the U.S. longer than the applicable 5-year or 2-year period, the Substantial Presence Test will determine your tax residency. This test reviews your physical presence over the last 183 days within a three-year look-back period.
Sprintax will evaluate these factors for you and confirm your correct tax-residency status
Filing Taxes with No Income
If you were in the U.S. on F or J status at any time from January 1 - December 31, 2025, and had no income, you still need to file Form 8843 with the IRS.
Types of Income That Require Filing Taxes
| To file tax | Not to file tax | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ·¡³¾±è±ô´Ç²â³¾±ð²Ô³Ù​ | 01 | Scholarship covers only tuition expenses​ |
| 02 | Scholarship covering costs other than tuition​ | 02 | ​Scholarship received from outside the US​ |
| 03 | Investment income/ Crypto​ | 03 | Money transferred from parents overseas​ |
| 04 | Gambling winnings​ | 04 | Income ‘earned’ in the home country​ |
| 05 | Focus group – gift card​ | 05 | Interest on regular savings account​ |
| 06 | Rental income (over 14 nights)​ | ||
| 07 | Selling art/design works​ |
Ready to file?- Link coming soon!