No US income
You still need Form 8843 each year. We prepare it for $19.95.
F-1 & J-1 students · OPT
International student in the US? Your taxes, done right.
Campus jobs, OPT, internships and scholarships — plus Form 8843, which every F-1 and J-1 student must file, even with no income. We apply the tax treaty for your country and claim back FICA withheld by mistake.
- From $45 on your own
- Form 8843 only $19.95
- Expert option with a CPA or EA
Form W-2Wage and Tax Statement · 2026
1 Wages$0.00
2 Federal tax$0.00
4 Social Security$0.00
6 Medicare$0.00
15 StateNJ
17 State tax$0.00
Example
Estimated refund
$0
- Filed
- Accepted by IRS
- Refund on its way
3–5 weeks average refund time
Student refund calculator
What will your refund be?
F-1 and J-1 students often have too much tax and FICA withheld, and many treaties make part of your wages tax-free.
- Federal, FICA and state refund in one place
- Tax treaties for 60+ countries, including the 100% exemption for Moldova, Georgia and other CIS countries
- Exact state tax for 13 states, including NJ, NY, CA, MD and VA
Your forms
What income did you have?
Pick everything that applies. We show which forms you will get and what we do with each one.
Which one is you?
Campus job or internship
Form 1040-NR plus 8843, with any treaty benefit for your country.
OPT or CPT
While you're a nonresident, FICA shouldn't be withheld. If it was, we claim it back.
Scholarship or grant
Got a Form 1042-S? Part of it may be taxable — or exempt under your treaty.
No income?
Form 8843 in 5 minutes
Every F-1 and J-1 student files it, even with no US income. Here is everything you need to know.
Tax treaties can save students real money
The US has tax treaties with many countries, and some give students special benefits. For example, students from China can exclude up to $5,000 of wages a year, and students from India can claim the standard deduction. Our software checks the treaty for your country automatically.
What you'll need
- Passport and visa
- Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)
- W-2 and/or 1042-S, if you had income
- Social Security number or ITIN
- US entry and exit dates
Price for students
No income this year? Form 8843 only is enough. Worked on campus or on OPT? File a federal return.
Used TurboTax?
Filed with US tax software? Let's check it
Most US software files students as residents. Two questions show if your return needs fixing — or upload it for a free check.
Does your university work with us?
With an access code from your international office, your federal return, ITIN application and Form 8843 are free. State return $49.95, FICA refund $69.95.
From students
“I'm an F-1 student working part time on campus. Most tax preparers didn't know how to file nonresident returns — a friend referred me to Tax From US.”
“This site was very easy to use. Got my return done in less than 15 minutes.”
Taxes for students, explained
Student tax questions
I didn't work. Do I need to file anything?
Yes — Form 8843. Every F-1 and J-1 student who is a nonresident must file it, even with zero income. It counts your days as an exempt individual.
How long am I a nonresident?
Most F-1 and J-1 students are nonresidents for their first five calendar years in the US. After that, you may become a resident for tax purposes.
Social Security was withheld from my OPT paycheck.
While you're a nonresident, F-1 students on OPT are generally exempt from FICA. Ask your employer first; if they won't refund it, we file the claim with the IRS.
Can I use TurboTax?
Not as a nonresident. TurboTax doesn't support Form 1040-NR, and filing as a resident by mistake can cause problems with your visa status later.