Warning: Sprintax doesn't e-file state tax returns for non-resident aliens!

Hey there, tax preparer here who works with a lot of international clients. I understand your frustration with Sprintax! Unfortunately, this is a common issue with most tax software designed for non-resident aliens. The reason is that state e-filing for non-residents is much more complicated than federal e-filing. Each state has different requirements for non-resident aliens, and many states don't even accept e-filed returns from non-residents at all. It's not really Sprintax's fault - they're limited by what the states will accept. For next year, you might want to try TaxAct or Glacier Tax Prep, but honestly, most of them have the same limitation for state returns. The best value is probably to use the free federal e-file from Sprintax and then just do your state return directly through your state's department of revenue website if they offer that option.

After struggling with international student taxes for years, I finally found a solution that saved me so much time and confusion. I started using https://taxr.ai for my tax document analysis and it's been a game-changer. The system actually explained why certain tax programs can't e-file state returns for non-residents and helped me understand what forms I actually needed. The AI analyzed my tax documents and visa status, then gave me specific guidance for my situation. It even pointed out some education credits I was eligible for that Sprintax had missed the previous year! They're specifically designed to handle international student and non-resident tax situations.

Just wanted to update everyone - I tried taxr.ai after being super skeptical and it was legitimately helpful. I uploaded my documents and it immediately identified I was eligible for a tax treaty reduction I didn't know about. The system explained exactly why Sprintax and similar services can't e-file state returns for non-residents (has to do with verification requirements) and gave me clear instructions for filing my paper state return correctly. It even generated a checklist of everything I needed to include with my mailing. What surprised me most was how it explained the actual tax rules in simple English instead of tax jargon. Definitely saved me from making some mistakes that could have caused problems later. Much better experience than I expected!

If you're stressed about mailing your state tax forms and worried they'll get lost, check out https://claimyr.com - I used their service to actually talk to someone at the state tax department after waiting for my refund for 3 months. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was in a similar situation last year after using Sprintax. Mailed my state return and then heard nothing for months. Tried calling the state tax department but got stuck in endless phone queues. Claimyr got me through to an actual human at the tax office who confirmed they received my return but it was sitting in a processing backlog. At least then I knew it wasn't lost!

I take back what I said about Claimyr being a scam. I tried it yesterday after waiting THREE WEEKS for any update on my mailed state return. The system called me back in about an hour with an actual person from the state tax department. Turns out they had received my return but there was an issue with my non-resident alien status code that was holding things up. The representative walked me through what additional documentation I needed to send in. Honestly shocked it worked - I was convinced these government phone systems were designed to be impenetrable. Saved me weeks of wondering what was happening with my return!

Pro tip for non-resident aliens: if you're really set on e-filing your state return, look into hiring a local CPA who specializes in international taxation. Yes, it costs more than software (usually $200-400 depending on complexity), but they can e-file both federal and state returns for you because they have professional tax preparation software with different capabilities than consumer software. I did this last year after the Sprintax paper filing disaster of 2023 and it was worth every penny. My CPA also found deductions Sprintax missed and ended up saving me more than his fee!

Does anyone know if this is still an issue with Sprintax for the 2024 tax season? Their website seems to imply they can e-file everything now, but I'm skeptical after reading this thread.

This is exactly why I ended up switching to a different approach this year! After getting burned by Sprintax's misleading marketing last season, I did some research and found that most states simply don't have the infrastructure to accept e-filed returns from non-resident aliens - it's not just a Sprintax limitation. What worked for me was using the IRS Free File program for my federal return (since I qualified income-wise) and then going directly to my state's tax website to see if they had any online filing options for non-residents. Some states like New York actually do have basic online forms you can fill out and submit electronically, even as a non-resident. The key is to check your specific state's department of revenue website first before paying for any third-party service. You might be able to do everything yourself for free and avoid the paper mailing hassle entirely. Wish I had known this before spending money on services that can't actually deliver what they promise!