International Student Tax Return

How to tax return for International Students

Terry Kim

2/1/20241 분 읽기

International students' Tax Return

Most international students are classified as nonresidents for tax purposes and will be taxed in the same manner as nonresident aliens, which means that international students will be taxed only on income from US sources.

If you are an international student, you must file a tax return if you were in the US the previous tax year. If you did not earn any income, to fulfil your visa obligations you will still need to file Form 8843.

  • Nonresident aliens use Form 1040 NR to report income that is sourced in the US or is connected with a US business or trade.

  • Nonresident aliens who receive interest income from deposits with a US bank, loan & savings institution, an insurance company, or credit union are exempt from taxation on such interest income as long as it is not effectively connected with a US business or trade.

Some international students can become resident aliens, for example, F1 visa holders after the fifth year.

Income is included below.

  • Wages and compensation

  • Salaries

  • Tips

  • Interest

  • Dividends

  • Some scholarships/fellowship grants

  • Prizes/awards