Chapter 4. Which tax forms should I file?

As an international student who is also a non-resident alien, which tax form should you file? Usually, you should file Form 8843 and Form 1040NR. 

 

How to

Form 8843 - Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition

• • Form 8843 is the first form a non-resident alien must file to declare they are EXEMPT individuals - temporarily in the United States of America as a student on an F, J, M or Q visa, or a teacher or trainee on a J or Q visa, or if they are unable to leave the U.S.A as planned because of a medical condition or another problem
  • Remember that EXEMPT refers to not counting days of presence in the U.S.A.

Here's the Form 8843 for 2023 Links to an external site.. 

MUST KNOW: Even if the student or scholar had no income, they still must file Form 8843 and file one for each family member who is in the United States.

 

Form 1040NR

• • Form 1040NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return must be filed by nonresident aliens in the U.S. if they had U.S. income during the previous year
  • Make sure to file Form 1040NR and NOT Form 1040, which is for U.S. citizens and residents

 

Form 1040X

• • If you do not file correctly and you need to amend your return, you must use Form 1040X to remain in compliance

 

Practice

Now that you know which tax forms you need to complete, think of paying it forward and discuss these forms with a friend or a family member.

 

Congratulations! You can move on to Chapter 5. Where can I get help as a PSU non-resident alien?

To review the full module on Federal Tax for Internationals, click here.