International student tax filing for F-1, J-1 and H-1B.

Usually yes, but only Form 8843. If you were in the US as an F, J, M or Q student, or a J or Q teacher or trainee, and you don't count those days toward the substantial presence test, the IRS requires Form 8843 to explain why. With no tax return to file, you mail Form 8843 on its own by the Form 1040-NR due date. If you file late, the IRS can count those days, which can change your tax status. Our Form 8843-only service is $25.

It depends on the substantial presence test: at least 31 days in the US this year and 183 days over three years, counting all of this year's days, one-third of last year's and one-sixth of the year before. Days as an exempt individual don't count. Students on F, J, M or Q visas are generally exempt for up to five calendar years; J and Q teachers and trainees lose the exemption if they were exempt in two of the six years before. H-1B workers count every day, so most become residents and file Form 1040. Tax residency is separate from immigration status.

Only if it prepares Form 1040-NR. Nonresidents who have to file must use Form 1040-NR, not Form 1040, so a program that only prepares Form 1040 won't produce the right return. Check that it supports Form 1040-NR and Form 8843 before you start. The IRS accepts Form 1040-NR electronically, and we e-file it for you.

Often, yes. The IRS says F-1, J-1 and M-1 students who are nonresident aliens are exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax on wages for permitted work, including practical training on or off campus. The exemption ends once you become a resident for tax, and it doesn't cover F-2, J-2 or M-2 family members or H-1B wages. Ask your employer for a refund first. If they won't refund all of it, we prepare Form 843 with Form 8316 and the supporting documents for $49.

It can. If the US has an income tax treaty with your country of residence, students, trainees and researchers may be exempt from US tax on certain income, such as some wages or a scholarship. Each treaty is different, so your country and the treaty article decide what qualifies. To stop withholding on treaty-exempt wages or scholarship, you give the payer Form 8233. Our student package includes a treaty check, and we apply any treaty benefit when we prepare your Form 1040-NR.

Most H-1B workers count every day in the US, pass the substantial presence test and file Form 1040 as US residents for tax. A first or last year in the US can be dual-status, which needs extra care. An H-1B tax return is at our standard Form 1040 pricing, quoted up front. Social Security and Medicare apply to H-1B wages, so the student refund of those taxes doesn't apply.

For 2026 income, generally April 15, 2027 if you were paid US wages with income tax withheld, and June 15, 2027 if you weren't. Form 8843 sent on its own follows the same Form 1040-NR due date. H-1B workers filing Form 1040 file by April 15, 2027. Need more time? File Form 4868 by the regular due date.

State returns are available for every state except Connecticut, Maryland and Oregon, the same as our other tax services. That includes New Jersey, New York and California, and we can do your federal return and Form 8843 wherever you live.

No. We prepare tax returns and don't give immigration advice. For questions about your visa, OPT or a change of status, talk to your school's international student office or an immigration attorney.