Filing a 1040NR form - do I need to attach all schedules even if not filled out?

The good news is you don't need to attach schedules you didn't complete. For your 1040NR, just include Schedule A since you're using it for state tax deductions. Regarding Schedule OI (Foreign Person's Information Statement), it's technically required for all 1040NR filers to provide information about your visa status, days present in the US, and treaty claims. However, in practice, many tax professionals only include it if you're claiming treaty benefits. The IRS instructions aren't super clear on this point. To be on the safe side, I'd recommend completing Schedule OI with your basic information and days count, even if you're not claiming treaty benefits. This prevents potential questions later and creates a record of your status. The form is relatively simple if you're not claiming treaty benefits - just complete Parts I and II.

After struggling with my own 1040NR last year and getting contradicting advice from different tax professionals, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer. I uploaded my previous returns and tax documents, and it immediately flagged that I was missing Schedule OI even though I wasn't claiming treaty benefits. It explained that while the IRS doesn't always enforce the requirement if you're not claiming treaty benefits, technically the schedule should be included. The tool went through my visa history and helped me calculate my days present in the US correctly (which can be tricky with the substantial presence test). Saved me from potential headaches down the road.

Just wanted to update everyone - I ended up trying taxr.ai after reading about it here and it was actually super helpful for my complicated student situation. The system correctly identified that my scholarship for room and board was taxable while the tuition portion wasn't. It also helped me properly document my CPT/OPT status on Schedule OI. What I really liked was the explanation about my tax residency status - it showed exactly why I was still considered a non-resident alien for tax purposes despite being physically present for more than 183 days (due to the F-1 student exemption). Would definitely recommend for other international students dealing with 1040NR!

If you're still having issues with your 1040NR or have questions about your specific situation, another option is to speak directly with the IRS. I had complicated questions about my treaty benefits that weren't clearly addressed in any publication. After trying unsuccessfully to reach the IRS for TWO WEEKS (seriously, the hold times are ridiculous), I found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me connected to an IRS agent in under 45 minutes! They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with confirmed that Schedule OI should technically be included with all 1040NR forms, but they primarily focus on reviewing it thoroughly when treaty benefits are claimed. Getting that official answer directly from the IRS gave me peace of mind.

I have to eat my words about Claimyr! After dismissing it as a probable scam, I was desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about my 1040NR treaty questions before the filing deadline. Decided to give it a shot as a last resort, and I'm shocked to say it actually worked. Got connected to an IRS representative in about 35 minutes when I had previously spent hours trying myself and never getting through. The agent confirmed exactly what I needed to know about Schedule OI requirements for my specific visa category. Definitely worth it just for the time saved and stress reduction. Sorry for being so dismissive before!

Former IRS employee here. For 1040NR filers, here's the practical advice: technically all relevant schedules should be attached, but in reality, the IRS processing centers focus primarily on schedules that affect your tax calculation. For Schedule OI specifically, if you're not claiming treaty benefits, they rarely follow up just for that schedule alone. However, if your return gets selected for review for other reasons, then missing the Schedule OI could trigger additional questions. It's a small effort to include it versus potential hassle later.

Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block for 1040NR? I tried using TurboTax but it kept asking me for Schedule OI info even though I'm not claiming treaty benefits. Is that normal?

I went through this exact same confusion last year! After doing a lot of research and speaking with a tax professional, here's what I learned: Schedule OI is technically required for ALL 1040NR filers, regardless of whether you're claiming treaty benefits or not. The confusion comes from the fact that many people think it's only needed for treaty claims, but if you read the actual instructions carefully, it asks for basic information like your visa type, country of residence, and days in the US - which applies to everyone filing 1040NR. That said, I've seen people successfully file without it when not claiming treaties, but why risk it? It's pretty straightforward to fill out Parts I and II with your basic info. Better to be complete and avoid any potential follow-up questions from the IRS. Good luck with your filing!