United Money & Taxes
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Filing US taxes as an F-1 / J-1 student
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About
Who this is for
International students and scholars on F-1/J-1 working out what (and how) to file for the US tax year.
The big ideas (verify each with a preparer)
- Nonresident vs resident for tax. F-1/J-1 students are generally exempt from counting their days under the "substantial presence test" for a number of years, so they're usually nonresident aliens early on and file 1040-NR. After enough time they may become residents for tax — the year this flips matters.
- You likely must file even with no income. A nonresident student present in the US typically must file Form 8843 regardless of earnings; if you had US income, add 1040-NR.
- Tax treaties. The US has student-favorable tax treaties with *some* countries — but the US does not currently have an income-tax treaty with Nepal (verify the current treaty status with the IRS or a tax professional). So most Nepalese students should not expect treaty-based exemptions.
- FICA (Social Security/Medicare). Nonresident F-1/J-1 students are generally exempt from FICA on authorized employment — if it was withheld in error, there's a process to recover it.
- Scholarships/stipends can be partly taxable; a 1042-S may report them.
Steps
- Determine your residency status for tax (nonresident vs resident) — your school's international office often provides guidance + access to a nonresident-aware tool.
- Gather documents: passport/visa/I-20, any W-2 (wages), 1099, 1042-S (scholarship/treaty), and last year's return if any.
- Use a nonresident-aware preparer or tool (e.g. the kind many schools provide) — not generic consumer software that assumes you're a resident.
- File federal (1040-NR and/or 8843) and your state return if your state requires one.
- Keep copies + note the deadline (federal tax day in spring; confirm the year's exact date).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing as a resident by accident (mainstream software does this) — it can claim credits you're not eligible for and create problems later.
- Skipping Form 8843 because you "had no income" — nonresident students generally still must file it.
- Assuming a treaty benefit that doesn't exist for Nepal.
Frequently asked
I earned nothing — do I still file?
Usually yes, Form 8843 at minimum. Confirm for your case.
Why not just use the popular tax app?
Those default to resident returns; as a nonresident you need 1040-NR — use a nonresident-aware service or a preparer.
They took Social Security tax from my paycheck — is that right?
Nonresident F-1/J-1 students are generally FICA-exempt; if withheld in error, you can request it back.
When is it due?
Around the spring federal deadline — confirm the exact date for the year.
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