How to file Form 8843 as a 6th Year F-1 Student claiming Non-Resident Alien status?

I've helped several international students with exactly this situation. The "statement" for Line 12 on Form 8843 isn't as complicated as it might seem, but it does need to be thorough. You'll want to create a signed letter that clearly outlines the factors demonstrating your closer connection to your home country. Here's what to include: First, state your intention to return to your home country after completing your studies/OPT. Then provide specific evidence such as: maintaining a permanent residence in your home country, having immediate family there, having a job offer or career plans in your home country, maintaining bank accounts/investments/property in your home country, having a driver's license or voter registration there, and any cultural/social/religious ties. The more specific you can be, the better. For example, don't just say "I have family in my home country" - say "My parents, two siblings, and extended family all reside permanently in [City, Country]." No specific form is required - just type up a clear, professional statement (1-2 pages), sign and date it, and attach it to your Form 8843.

I went through this exact situation last year and finally figured it out after lots of confusion. I found this amazing tool at https://taxr.ai that saved me from making serious mistakes on my Form 8843 statement. The system analyzed my specific situation as a 6th-year F-1 student and generated a customized statement that covered all the necessary points for the Closer Connection Exception. What impressed me most was how it guided me through exactly what factors to include for my specific country and situation. The tool asked questions about my ties to my home country and helped me articulate them properly for the IRS. It even flagged potential issues that might trigger further scrutiny.

Just wanted to update that I tried the taxr.ai website mentioned above and it was incredibly helpful for my situation as a South Korean student in my 6th year. The form generator walked me through all the factors I needed to document my closer connection to Korea. I was especially impressed by how it helped me articulate specific cultural and family ties that would be compelling to the IRS. The statement it helped me create addressed exactly what §7701(b)(5)(E) requires about proving I don't intend to permanently reside in the US. My tax return with the Non-Resident Alien status was accepted without any issues! Definitely worth checking out if you're struggling with this specific requirement.

For those hitting roadblocks with this process, I've been there! After weeks of frustration trying to get help with my Form 8843 statement, I finally found that using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to actually speak with an IRS agent was the solution. They have this service that gets you through to a real person at the IRS without the endless hold times. I was skeptical at first, but their system (demo at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) got me connected to an IRS specialist who clarified exactly what they're looking for in the statement for 6th-year F-1 students. The agent walked me through specific examples of what constitutes sufficient evidence for the closer connection exception. Having that direct conversation saved me from potentially making mistakes that could have affected my visa status or led to incorrect filing.

I have to come back and admit I was wrong about Claimyr! After expressing skepticism in my earlier comment, I decided to try it myself since I was desperate for clarification on my Form 8843 statement. The service connected me to an IRS international tax specialist within 45 minutes (after I had previously spent hours trying on my own). The agent was incredibly knowledgeable about the Closer Connection Exception for Foreign Students and clarified that my statement needed to specifically address both my ties to my home country AND my definite plans to leave the US. She even explained that they look for specificity - not just "I plan to return home someday" but concrete timelines and plans. This guidance helped me completely revise my statement, and my tax return was accepted with no issues.

One important thing nobody has mentioned - there are different requirements for proving your closer connection depending on your country of citizenship. Tax treaties can affect this! For example, I'm from India, and I had to reference specific provisions in the US-India tax treaty in my statement. My roommate from Brazil had different requirements. Make sure you research if your country has specific treaty provisions that might help your case.

Hey guys, wanted to share what worked for me as a 6th-year student from Canada. My statement for Form 8843 was actually pretty simple and got accepted without issues. I basically wrote 2 paragraphs: Paragraph 1: Stated my permanent address in Canada, mentioned my family there, noted that I maintain my Canadian health insurance, bank accounts, driver's license, and voter registration. Paragraph 2: Explicitly stated my plans to return to Canada immediately after finishing my program (with specific date), mentioned the job sector I plan to work in back home, and stated clearly "I do not intend to permanently reside in the United States." I signed and dated it, attached it to Form 8843, and had zero issues. No need to overthink it!

As someone who just went through this process successfully, I want to emphasize that the key is being specific and genuine in your statement. Don't overthink it, but make sure you cover the essential elements the IRS is looking for. Here's what I included in my statement that got accepted without any issues: 1. **Clear statement of intent**: "I do not intend to permanently reside in the United States and plan to return to [country] upon completion of my studies in [specific month/year]." 2. **Permanent residence details**: Address where you maintain your permanent home, who lives there (family members), and how long you've maintained that residence. 3. **Financial ties**: Bank accounts, investments, property, or other financial commitments in your home country. 4. **Personal/family ties**: Immediate family members, dependents, or close relatives who rely on you or whom you support financially. 5. **Professional plans**: Specific career plans, job applications, or professional licensing you're pursuing in your home country. 6. **Cultural/civic ties**: Things like voter registration, professional memberships, religious affiliations, or community involvement that demonstrate ongoing connection to your home country. The statement doesn't need to be lengthy - mine was about 1.5 pages, typed, signed, and dated. Keep it professional but personal. The IRS wants to see that your presence in the US is genuinely temporary and that you have compelling reasons to return home. Remember, this exception exists specifically for students like us, so don't be afraid to use it if you legitimately qualify!