Taxes
Do You Need to File Taxes?
Essential Reasons for Filing U.S. Taxes as a Nonresident
As a nonresident in the U.S., you're required to comply with all IRS regulations as part of your visa obligations. This includes filing tax forms鈥攅ven if you haven鈥檛 worked during the year. Every nonresident in the U.S. must submit Form 8843 at minimum.
Key Point: Not Filing Taxes Could Affect Your Future Immigration Status
If you plan to apply for an H-1B visa or other visa types, U.S. immigration may ask for evidence of tax compliance. Missing this requirement could impact your ability to stay in the U.S., making it essential to fulfill your tax obligations each year.
Failing to file could also lead to penalties, fines, and interest if you owe taxes. On the other hand, you could be eligible for a refund, but only if you file your tax return.
Filing Taxes with No Income
If you were in the U.S. on F or J status at any time from January 1 - December 31, 2024, and had no income, you still need to file Form 8843 with the IRS.
Types of Income That Require Filing Taxes
| To file tax | Not to file tax | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 贰尘辫濒辞测尘别苍迟鈥� | 01 | Scholarship covers only tuition expenses鈥� |
| 02 | Scholarship covering costs other than tuition鈥� | 02 | 鈥婼cholarship received from outside the US鈥� |
| 03 | Investment income/ Crypto鈥� | 03 | Money transferred from parents overseas鈥� |
| 04 | Gambling winnings鈥� | 04 | Income 鈥榚arned鈥� in the home country鈥� |
| 05 | Focus group 鈥� gift card鈥� | 05 | Interest on regular savings account鈥� |
| 06 | Rental income (over 14 nights)鈥� | ||
| 07 | Selling art/design works鈥� |