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The Global Insight

Does F-1 student need to file tax return?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on March 08, 2026

Yes! All international students are REQUIRED to file a return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year they are in the United States: the federal AND state tax returns required for those who earn income and the non-employed federal form for those who did not earn income.

Do students on F1 visa pay taxes?

Do International Students Pay Taxes? Many F1 visa holders find part-time employment on their campuses. But, as an international student, you may be classified as an exempt individual and non-resident for tax purposes, which means you are not supposed to pay tax on your income earned.

Do F-1 students need to file Form 8843?

Who Must File Form 8843? All nonresident aliens present in the U.S. under F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status must file Form 8843 “Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals With a Medical Condition”—even if they received NO income during 2019.

Can F1 visa holders file 1040?

Do F-1 international students have to file tax returns? Nonresident aliens with F1 visas have to file tax returns on the US-sourced income during the calendar year. There’s also Form 1040, only the US residents file this one.

Can F-1 students claim the personal exemption?

Guide to F1 visa Tax Exemption Based on IRS Pub 519, F1, J1 students are exempt for up to five years during their non-immigrant status as a full-time student in the United States under Student FICA tax exemption.

Can F-1 students use TurboTax?

No, If you are an international student and need to file Form 1040-NR, you will not be able to use TurboTax. Unfortunately you have to find another method to prepare your tax returns.

What is an F-1 student?

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program.

Can F1 students use TurboTax?

What happens if you don’t file 8843?

There is no monetary penalty for failure to file Form 8843. The form must be submitted even if the visa holder does not have an SSN or ITIN. The form must be completed and submitted to the IRS by all NRAs whether income was earned or not.

What happens if you forget to file 8843?

There is no monetary penalty for not filing Form 8843. However, days of presence that are excluded must be properly recorded by filing Form 8843. Not doing so could affect the taxability of income or treaty benefits.

Do you have to file taxes as an F-1 student?

As an F-1 student, you are required to file a tax return as a condition of your F-1 student visa. However, even if it’s mandatory for you to file taxes, you may not have to pay anything. But that doesn’t mean you can skip the process of filing your tax return each year that you are here.

How to handle taxes with an F-1 visa?

F-1 Visa Taxes You now know as an F-1 visa holder that you have to file tax forms with any payments owed every tax year. The three types of forms used for your tax filings are: A 1040NR-EZ (non-resident) form and Form 8843.

Can a international student get an F1 visa?

F1 visas are granted to international students studying in the U.S. on a full-time basis. An F1 visa grants the holder access to the U.S. strictly based on the fact that they will be in the U.S. to study and not for any other purpose.

Can a nonresident F1 student use the standard deduction?

Most of the nonresidents can not use Standard Deduction. The only exception was made for Indian nonresident aliens. To learn more about it, check Article 21 (2) of the United States – India Income Tax Treaty. F1 visa resident aliens can count on tax refunds from the US — do that by filing your tax return.