How to file taxes as an international student on F1 visa? First-time filer

Hey everyone! I'm an Australian student doing veterinary medicine in the US. Been here since August 2023 on an F1 visa and haven't filed taxes yet. I worked as a research assistant last year (2024) and need to file taxes for the first time. I almost used TurboTax before realizing it might not be suitable for international students like me. What forms do I need to file exactly? Would really prefer to use an online service rather than paying a tax professional since I'm on a tight student budget. Any recommendations for websites that handle international student tax situations well?

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18 comments

Sophia Gabriel

•8M

International student taxes can be tricky! The forms you'll need depend on your tax residency status. As an F1 visa holder who's been in the US since 2023, you're likely considered a "nonresident alien" for tax purposes (based on the substantial presence test). You'll need to file Form 1040-NR (Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return), and possibly Form 8843 (Statement for Exempt Individuals). Since you earned income as a research assistant, you should have received either a W-2 or 1099 form from your employer documenting your earnings. Most standard tax software doesn't handle nonresident alien returns well. Sprintax and Glacier Tax Prep are specifically designed for international students. Many universities also offer free access to these services - check with your international student office to see if your school provides this benefit!

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Sophia Gabriel

•8M

Yes, the US-Australia tax treaty could definitely impact your filing. Certain scholarship/fellowship portions might be exempt from US taxation under the treaty, but you'd need to file Form 8833 to claim treaty benefits. This is another reason why specialized software for international students is helpful. Regarding educational deductions, nonresident aliens can claim some education-related tax benefits like the tuition and fees deduction, but typically can't claim education credits like the American Opportunity Credit that residents can. If you paid qualified education expenses, make sure the tax program you use explores these potential deductions.

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Ezra Beard

•8M

When I was struggling with my international student taxes last year, I found this amazing service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that was a lifesaver for my complicated situation. I uploaded my documents and it analyzed everything - my F1 visa status, tax treaty benefits between my country and the US, and even found deductions I had no idea I qualified for! It walked me through the proper 1040-NR filing and Form 8843 requirements step by step. The best part was it correctly identified my tax residency status and handled all the special rules for international students that regular tax software completely missed. I was about to use TurboTax too until another international student warned me it doesn't work well for us.

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Ezra Beard

•8M

Yes, it definitely handled my state taxes too! The system automatically determined my state filing requirements based on where I earned income. Each state has different rules for nonresident aliens, and it guided me through exactly what I needed to file for my situation. Regarding cost, I actually found it very reasonable compared to the alternatives. I was quoted $300+ by a local CPA who specializes in international tax, while this online solution was much more affordable. Plus, considering the potential penalties for filing incorrectly as an international student, I felt the peace of mind was well worth it.

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Statiia Aarssizan

•8M

Just wanted to update everyone - I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here and it was EXACTLY what I needed! The system immediately recognized my F1 visa status and walked me through all the specific forms (1040-NR and 8843) I needed to file as an international student. It even helped me understand the tax treaty between my country and the US, which saved me about $300 in taxes! The questions were specifically designed for international students instead of the confusing questions on regular tax software that don't apply to us. Wish I'd known about this sooner instead of stressing for weeks!

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Aria Khan

•8M

If you need to talk to the IRS about your international student tax situation (which I had to do when my university reported my scholarship incorrectly), I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). The IRS has special departments for international taxpayers but getting through to them is nearly impossible. I was on hold for HOURS trying to reach someone who could help with my F1 visa tax questions before giving up. Then I found Claimyr through a video demo (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and it was a game-changer. They got the IRS to call ME back the same day! The agent helped clarify exactly which forms I needed to file as an international student and confirmed my tax treaty benefits.

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Aria Khan

•8M

It works by using a system that continuously redials and navigates the IRS phone tree until it gets through, then holds your place in line. When an agent is about to be available, you get a call connecting you directly to them. It's basically doing the waiting for you. For international student issues specifically, it was incredibly helpful because I needed to speak with someone who understood tax treaty provisions and F1 visa taxation rules. Not all IRS agents are familiar with these specialized areas, so being able to actually reach the right department without spending hours on hold was invaluable.

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Sunny Wang

•8M

I've got to eat my words and apologize to Profile 11. After my skeptical comment, I was still stuck trying to figure out my international student tax situation, so I reluctantly tried Claimyr out of desperation. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT WORKED. After two weeks of trying to reach the IRS international taxpayer line myself with no success, I got a call back from an IRS agent in just under 2 hours. The agent was able to confirm exactly which forms I needed for my F1 visa status and explained how the tax treaty affected my scholarship income. They even helped me understand how to report my CPT income correctly. Saved me from potentially filing incorrectly and facing penalties later. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind alone.

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Hugh Intensity

•8M

Don't forget about Form 8843! Every international student on F1 visa MUST file this form even if you have no income. It's called "Statement for Exempt Individuals" and it's basically telling the IRS you're temporarily in the US for educational purposes. I got in trouble my second year because I didn't know about this requirement. Also, check if your country has a tax treaty with the US - it can save you a lot! I'm from Brazil and was able to exclude some of my income thanks to the treaty provisions.

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Hugh Intensity

•8M

The Form 8843 follows the same deadline as your tax return, which is generally April 15th for the previous tax year. However, if you don't have any income to report and are ONLY filing Form 8843 (no 1040-NR needed), then you actually have until June 15th to submit it. Since you mentioned having research assistant income, you'll need to file both Form 8843 and Form 1040-NR by the April 15th deadline (unless you file for an extension). Make sure you keep copies of everything you submit - international student tax records can be important for future visa applications or if you eventually apply for permanent residency.

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