How to File US Taxes as a Nonresident Student (Form 1040-NR)
You don't have to figure this out alone, the team at Studentbuddy is here to support you every step of the way.
This guide expands on our earlier general overview of US taxes for international students with a more detailed, step-by-step look specifically at the 1040-NR filing process.
Determining your filing requirement
Every F-1 student must file at least Form 8843 annually, regardless of income, if you had US income (wages, taxable scholarships, or certain other income), you'll also need to file Form 1040-NR itself, the nonresident alien income tax return.
Gathering necessary documentation
- W-2 forms (wage income) from any on-campus or authorized employment.
- 1042-S forms (for certain scholarship or fellowship income, if applicable).
- Records of any US-source income beyond standard employment.
Checking for applicable tax treaty benefits
The US maintains tax treaties with many countries that can reduce or eliminate tax on specific income types, check whether your home country has an applicable treaty and how it affects your specific tax situation, since this can meaningfully reduce what you owe.
Using the right software or resources
Standard consumer tax software (widely used by US citizens) generally isn't built for nonresident filing rules and can produce incorrect results, use nonresident-specific tax software or your university's free international student tax filing assistance instead.
Filing deadlines
Tax filing deadlines follow the standard US tax calendar (typically mid-April for the prior tax year) , mark this date clearly in your calendar, since missing filing requirements can create complications for future US immigration processes.
State tax filing considerations
Beyond federal taxes, you may also need to file a state tax return depending on your specific state and income, state tax rules and nonresident treatment vary, so check your specific state's requirements separately from the federal process.
Get help navigating your specific tax filing situation.
Talk to a Study Abroad Advisor →FAQs
Do I need to file Form 1040-NR even with no US income?
No, Form 8843 alone is required with no US income, but Form 1040-NR is needed if you had wages, taxable scholarships, or other US-source income.
Can I use standard consumer tax software for nonresident filing?
Generally not recommended, most standard software isn't built for nonresident rules and can produce incorrect results, so use nonresident-specific software instead.
How do tax treaties affect my filing?
The US has tax treaties with many countries that can reduce or eliminate tax on specific income types, check whether your home country has an applicable treaty.
When is the tax filing deadline?
Typically mid-April for the prior tax year, following the standard US tax calendar, mark this clearly, since missing requirements can create future complications.
Do I need to file a state tax return too?
Possibly, depending on your specific state and income, state rules and nonresident treatment vary, so check separately from the federal process.
