F-1 비자 소지 유학생용 미국 세금 신고 가이드
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Nonresident taxes explained – what is a nonresident alien & how to file your U.S. tax return
Whether you are dreaming of a trip to the US, or you are about to embark on one, the prospect of jetting off to The Land of Opportunity is bound to be exciting.
While you get to grips with the culture in the US, one area that often confuses nonresidents is tax.
That’s why Sprintax is here!
We specialize in making tax as straightforward as possible to newcomers in the US.
So, without further ado, here’s our ultimate guide to filing taxes as a nonresident in the US. Continue reading “Nonresident taxes explained – what is a nonresident alien & how to file your U.S. tax return” »
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I am a nonresident in the US. Can I claim any tax treaty benefits?
(Last updated: 27 Feb 2023)
What are tax treaties and how can they help you save money at tax time?
If you’re a nonresident alien in the US, you may be wondering if there are any tax reliefs available which can help you save money on your tax bill.
While the answer to this question is likely “yes”, exactly what you will be entitled to will depend on your personal circumstances.
The best place to start is by checking whether or not you are entitled to any tax treaty benefits.
The US has signed tax treaty agreements with 67 countries around the world and if you are entitled to benefit from one of these agreements, you could potentially save a lot on your taxes.
In this guide, we are going to take a closer look at tax treaty benefits – what they are and exactly how you can claim them.
Continue reading “I am a nonresident in the US. Can I claim any tax treaty benefits?” »
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How to file Form 8843 – instructions for nonresident aliens
(Last updated: 2 Dec 2022)
There are 3 things that every US international student and J-1 visa holder needs to know about American tax:
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- Every US international student and J-1 visa holder has a tax filing requirement
- It doesn’t matter if you have earned income. You must still file your documents before the deadline
- The IRS takes this stuff seriously! In other words, if you don’t comply with your tax obligations, you may encounter complications when applying for US visas in the future
Regardless of whether you have earned income during your time in the US, if you are a nonresident in the US, you will still need to file what’s known as a Form 8843 “Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals With a Medical Condition”.
This blog post will focus on exactly what you need to do in order to file this form and remain compliant with the IRS.
NOTE: If you are considered a resident for tax purposes, you are not required to file IRS form 8843.
Continue reading “How to file Form 8843 – instructions for nonresident aliens” »
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I filed an incorrect tax return. Should I file an amended return to fix it and how?
(Last updated: 17.05.2022)
“Don’t worry if you made a mistake on your tax return or forgot to claim a tax credit or deduction. You can fix it by filing an amended return.” – The IRS
Made an error on your nonresident alien income tax return? Don’t worry, fixing it is not as difficult as you might think!
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Missed the US tax return deadline? Here’s what to do
Last Updated: 28 April 2022
Every nonresident alien in the US is obliged to file a federal tax return before the tax deadline, which in 2022 was 18 April.
If you’re an international student or scholar in the US, by law you must file Form 8843 at least, but depending on your circumstances, you may also need to file a Federal tax return by filing a 1040NR, a State Tax return or two and maybe even a FICA return. Not filing a tax return could get you into a whole heap of trouble, leaving you with hefty tax fines and penalties, on top of possible problems getting US visas in the future. Continue reading “Missed the US tax return deadline? Here’s what to do” »
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Your US Tax Residency Status Explained
Last updated: 16 January 2023
Resident or Nonresident – this is the question!
Determining your tax residency status is important, as it will determine how much tax you must pay while in the US.
The most common mistake nonresidents make is filing their taxes as a resident. If a nonresident files as a resident they can claim benefits and receive refunds that they’re not entitled to. Incorrect filing breaks the terms and conditions of a nonresident visa, this can lead to fines and penalties and you may also jeopardize your future visa or green card applications.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about your residency and how you can determine your residency status.
Continue reading “Your US Tax Residency Status Explained” » -
J-1 visa taxes explained – the ultimate US tax return guide for J-1 visa holders
(Last updated: 10 Feb 2023)
Tens of thousands of people flock to the US on J-1 student visas each year.
Every J-1 participant has a tax filing requirement, it’s the law!
Many J-1 visa holders are confused by the often tricky US tax jargon. However, it’s not as bad as it seems, and knowing even a little about your filing requirements can go a long way!
With this in mind, we’ve created a blog post that will answer some common queries from J-1 participants in the US! Continue reading “J-1 visa taxes explained – the ultimate US tax return guide for J-1 visa holders” »
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Filing an international student tax return – U.S. tax season survival guide for F-1 visa students
(Last updated: 10 Feb 2023)
A handy tax guide for international students and scholars in the US on an F-1 visa
While tax filing might not be the most exciting aspect of international student life in the US.
After all, tax returns for international students probably weren’t high on your list of priorities when moving to the US!
However, the importance of completing these forms correctly cannot be underestimated – the way you handle your international student tax affairs will have a major impact on future Green Card and visa applications.
With this in mind, we’ve created this handy tax guide for international students and scholars in the US on an F-1 visa.
We’ve covered everything you need to know about tax returns, refunds, and how to stay in the taxman’s good books! So, let’s get started!
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A Complete Tax Guide for Au Pairs in the U.S.
(Last updated: 16 January 2023)
Each year, thousands of au pairs move to the US to live with host families.
We’ve put this handy guide together to fill you in on everything you need to know about foreign au pairs and tax in the US.
Continue reading “A Complete Tax Guide for Au Pairs in the U.S.” »
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Top 8 tax myths international students in US believe in – DEBUNKED!
George Orwell once said: “Myths that are believed in tend to become true”.
Well, there might be a grain of truth in what he said but not when it comes to taxes and the U.S. taxation laws.
As an international student you are not supposed to know the US tax procedures concerning tax return filing by heart but at least you should be aware of the Top 8 tax myths that most international students tend to believe in.
So do not walk around believing in “old wives’ tax tales and check the most common tax myths DEBUNKED here!
Continue reading “Top 8 tax myths international students in US believe in – DEBUNKED!” »
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Breaking: Sprintax is Now LIVE For Nonresident Federal E-Filing!
(Last updated: 10 Feb 2023)
It has never been easier to file your nonresident US federal tax return.
We are thrilled to announce that Sprintax – the best online solution for nonresident federal and state tax returns – is now live for Federal E-Filing.
This means that, by completing the easy Sprintax questionnaire, you can file your 2022 federal return directly with the IRS online.
What is E-Filing?
Sprintax is now approved by the IRS to submit Federal tax returns electronically (E-Filing).
In short, this means you no longer need to download, print and mail a physical copy of your tax return to the US tax office. Instead, you can now file your federal tax return without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.
By E-Filing your tax return, you can ensure that your taxes are processed by the IRS faster than if you filed a paper tax return.
How does E-Filing with Sprintax work?
When you complete the Sprintax questionnaire and proceed through the order breakdown and payment stage, you will be ready to submit your 2022 US tax return.
If you wish to E-File your taxes, you must firstly confirm that you have not previously E-Filed your 2021 tax return before.
You can then click the ‘Proceed with E-File’ button to move to the next step.
E-File Authentication
To E-File your tax return you must first electronically sign your tax return using the information requested on the screen.
Before you can sign your return, we must verify your identity. To do so, we will ask you to provide information from your previous federal tax return.
If you filed a federal tax return last year, you can either provide your prior year adjusted gross income or your self-selected 5-digit pin.
You can find your adjusted gross income on line 11 of your 2021 1040NR. Please ensure the information you provide here is correct.
If you did not file a tax return for tax year 2021, please enter ‘0’ as your prior year adjusted gross income.
If you filed an amended tax return for tax year 2021, please enter the adjusted gross income listed on the return you filed originally.
Electronically signing your tax return
You will be required to select any 5-digit number (other than 00000) to electronically sign your tax return. Ensure you keep a record of this pin in a safe place.
You will need to acknowledge that this pin is your signature and that and that you are now authorizing transmission of your return.
Final steps
Next, you must read the disclaimer and consent statements and confirm your agreement and that you have reviewed the information that you have entered and examined your tax return.
You will also need to confirm that the social security numbers of each person on the return are correct.
You must then sign the above consent disclosure by entering your date of birth.
Finally, simply click ‘E-File My Return’ to electronically send your tax return to the IRS.
Can I E-File my state taxes with Sprintax?
No. You can only E-File your federal tax return with Sprintax.
However, if you are required to file a state tax return, Sprintax will help you to prepare the documents you need.
When you complete our questionnaire, our software will provide you with your completed state tax return.
To file your tax return, simply download, print and sign your documents and mail them to the tax office.
Can I E-File for tax years prior to 2021?
At present, E-Filing is only available for the 2021 tax year and later years.
However, Sprintax can help you to prepare the tax documents you need for prior tax years.
Can everyone E-File their federal taxes?
No.
You will not be able to file online if:
- Any names or SSN do not coincide with the information provided at the About You step of the Sprintax questionnaire
- Any of your payment documents do not have an EIN
- Any of your 1042-S forms do not have a unique code identifier
- You have capital gains income
- You have form 1099-NEC
- You have form 1099-INT
- You have form 1099-MISC with box 4 higher than box 0
- You have included your final payslip
- You have self-employment income
- If you are not eligible to E-File your taxes, don’t worry. You can still download your completed forms from Sprintax and mail them to the IRS
Note: If your W2 forms do not have a control number you must enter any 5 digit number instead.
If you are not eligible to E-File your taxes, don’t worry. You can still download your completed forms from Sprintax and mail them to the IRS.
Do I have to E-File my tax return?
No. If you would prefer not to file your taxes online, you can file by mail instead. Simply download your tax return, print it, sign it, and mail it to the IRS.
What else is new with Sprintax?
We have launched a new website!
We have made significant improvements to our site – enhancing our user experience and making it even easier to file your taxes with Sprintax.
When is the tax filing deadline?
It is important to file your tax return before the 18 April 2023.
If you owe the IRS money and you don’t file your tax return by the deadline, you may incur late filing fines and penalties from the IRS. You may also jeopardize your future US visa applications.
What’s more, 70% of Sprintax users receive a tax refund. By not filing, you risk missing out on your tax refund.
The average federal refund is $1,126. Do you really want to leave that kind of money in the US? Of course not!
E-File your 1040NR US tax return with Sprintax
Who must file tax documents in the US?
Every nonresident in the US has a tax filing requirement.
If you earned income in the US, you will be required to file a federal tax return. You may also have a state tax filing requirement.
Nonresident aliens who are in the US on a J or F visa must file a Form 8843 “Statement of Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition” even if they received no income in the US.
No matter what nonresident tax document you need to file, Sprintax can help you.
Get started with your US nonresident tax return here.
Why choose Sprintax?
Sprintax will cater to all of your nonresident tax filing requirements.
- We help more than 215,000 nonresidents (from over 200 nationalities) with their taxes every year
- We are now live for Federal Tax Return E-Filing
- Automatic generation of completed tax documents including federal, state and FICA tax returns, form 8843, tax return amendments and more
- Your maximum US tax refund guaranteed – our average federal refund is $1,126
- 24/7 Live Chat tax support
How to get started
To file your US federal tax return online with Sprintax, simply create your account or login here.
Next, we will ask you a couple of easy questions about your time in the US and the income you earned.
Our software will then automatically apply any treaty benefits or tax relief you are entitled to – minimizing your tax bill!
You will then have the opportunity to either E-File or download your completed documents.
It’s that easy!
E-File your tax return with Sprintax
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New year, New Look – Re-Introducing Sprintax!
Making the complex simple for nonresidents and their employers in the US
Team Sprintax are delighted to unveil our new look. We’re excited to share our brand updates with you and a little background on why we made them.
Sprintax first launched in 2014 as a nonresident tax advisory for US universities. Today we work with over 500 organizations across the US delivering tax education and tax filing services to international students and scholars – and their employers. Given our expanded product, team and ambition, we felt the time was right to update our branding too.
At the heart of our rebranding is the goal to seamlessly transition all of our nonresident services under one roof, bringing together our products and technologies under one name, Sprintax.
Sprintax for individuals
Here at Sprintax, we understand the unique challenge of moving to a new country as an international student, intern, au pair or graduate. In fact, most of our team have worked or studied abroad at one stage or another! Navigating a new country, school or workplace can be difficult, not least when it comes to taxes. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to make the complex simple, so you can focus on the important things like finding a great apartment or the nearest coffee place.
Our software is designed to support US nonresidents on every step of their journey, from preparing their pre-employment payroll forms (Sprintax Forms), to filing their first US tax return (Sprintax Returns).
Sprintax for business
At Sprintax, we don’t just support students and interns. We are passionate about our schools and during the tax season you’ll mostly likely find us on the road, delivering on-campus tax clinics or sitting in on a NAFSA panel session. You can learn more about our partner program here.
If you are an employer or institution with international employees, we can help ensure you tax them correctly and that your organization remains tax complaint with the IRS.
If your payroll department are dealing with international employees, then they’ll be all too familiar with the world of international tax treaties. Ever changing, it can prove a time-consuming and daunting task to determine the eligibility status of each international employee.
Enter Sprintax Calculus, our multi-jurisdiction, tax compliance software, built to simplify payroll processing for nonresident employees and international vendors. The software will automatically determine the tax withholdings for your nonresident population, generate aggregated reports and integrate with your payroll platform for a smooth transition of data. Nifty huh?!
TLDR; so what’s new with Sprintax?
For our current users, you’ll notice some big changes on the website! It’s now much easier to navigate between our services. We’re also working on our new and improved help site and resource centre which will go live over the coming weeks.
As part of our rebrand, we have introduced a new naming convention for each of our services. Here’s a quick recap!
Personal services
Sprintax Returns (Formerly, Sprintax Tax Prep)
Sprintax Returns is the new name for our nonresident federal tax e-filing and state tax return preparation solution. Start here to determine tax residency status and to prepare and file US nonresident federal and state tax returns.
Sprintax Forms (Formerly, SprintaxTDS Personal)
As a nonresident student, scholar or employee in the US, you may be eligible for specific tax treaties. When you start working and earning an income in the US, Sprintax Forms will help ensure that you pay the right amount of tax on your salary – assisting with pre-employment paperwork including form W-4, W-8BEN and more.
Business services
Sprintax Returns Partners (Formerly Sprintax Tax Prep Partners)
We partner with schools and institutions across the US to deliver nonresident tax education and tax return filing services to their international population. To find out more about partnering with us on Sprintax Returns, schedule a call.
Sprintax Calculus (Formerly, SprintaxTDS)
The documenting and reporting on payments made to nonresident employees has become a significant challenge for many US-based organisations. Sprintax Calculus (Formerly SprintaxTDS) helps payroll offices to manage the tax profiles of their nonresident employees on a single, user-friendly dashboard. Find out more here.
Note: If you are a Sprintax Calculus partner, your student users will be asked to login and create their profile under the individual dashboard, Sprintax Forms.
A word from our Vice President
“Sprintax is going from strength-to-strength. The product we launched in 2014 is very different to who we are today, so it was time for a refresh. However, while the look and feel are more modern, it’s still the same goal that drive us – the ambition to make the complex simple. We hope you and your clients like what we’ve done – as always we’re keen on your feedback!”
Enda Kelleher
Sprintax Vice PresidentMore to come…
Our new website is the first of many exciting developments at Sprintax. Over the next few months, you’ll notice more improvements to our software which we hope will further enhance your user experience, making Sprintax an intuitive and helpful tool to use, no matter what your use case!
We want to hear from you!
It would not have been possible for Sprintax to have grown over the last few years without the incredible support of our clients and partners. We are incredibly grateful for this support and, with that in mind, we would love to know what you think of our new site and any recommendations you may have for our next phase of development.
Be sure to email your feedback to hello@sprintax.com or tag us on social!
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Everything a nonresident needs to know about the Californian ‘Golden State’ Stimulus Checks
Everything a nonresident needs to know about the Californian ‘Golden State’ Stimulus Checks
California has joined fellow states and cities such as Florida, New Orleans, Maine, and Maryland (among others) in providing a financial boost to qualifying residents.
Up to 800,000 Californian residents who meet the requirements will receive as much as $1,100 as part of the Golden State Stimulus Check scheme.
A first round of payments were also delivered earlier in 2021 in order to provide relief to taxpayers who have been affected by the pandemic.
While these checks are designated exclusively for California residents, many nonresidents in the state have received the payments in error.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at the Golden State Stimulus Checks and outline the important steps a nonresident should take if they receive this pandemic payment.
What are the Golden State checks?
The checks were introduced as part of an initiative to help low and middle-income people in California, particularly those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ‘Golden Gate Stimulus II’ follows on from the ‘Golden Gate Stimulus I’, which began to roll out in January 2021.
Over 800,000 people can expect to receive this payment by 17 December, most in the form of paper checks.
These payments range from $600-$1,100, and so far 3.5 million checks and 3.8 million direct deposits have been sent to qualifying individuals.
Who is entitled to receive this money?
There are a number of factors that enable you to qualify for the second Golden Gate Stimulus.
The second check has broader coverage than the first, some who did not qualify for the first can qualify for the second.
To qualify for this payment, you must have:
- Filed your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021
- Had a California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI) of $1 to $75,000 for the tax year of 2020. For this information refer to:
- Line 17 on Form 540
- Line 16 on Form 540 2EZ
- Had wages of between $0 and $75,000 for the tax year of 2020
- Been a California resident for more than half of the tax year of 2020
- Been a California resident on the date payment is issued
- Not been claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer
*A dependent is a qualifying child or qualifying relative. Go to FTB Publication 1540 for more information about a qualifying child and qualifying relative.
There are a number of scenarios that will affect how much you will receive in this payment. These include:
Scenario 1
You qualified for Golden State Stimulus 1 (GSS1)
Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents
Stimulus amount Golden State Stimulus 2 (GSSII) = $500
Scenario 2
You did not qualify for GSS I
Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents
Stimulus amount GSSII = $600
Scenario 3
You did not qualify for GSS I
Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents
Stimulus amount GSSII = $1,100
Scenario 4
You qualified for GSS I
Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents
Stimulus amount GSSII = You do not qualify for GSS II
If you feel that you received it by accident, you should know what to do.
I’m a nonresident and I received the Golden State Stimulus Payment. What should I do?
If you received the Golden State Stimulus payment, but you think you received it in error, it is important that you take your time to review the eligibility qualifications that we have outlined to ensure that it is in error.
If you do, however, find that the payment shouldn’t have been made to you, there are a number of things you can do, depending on your situation:
Direct deposits made to you:
In this situation, you should contact the bank you are with and advise that you are rejecting the payment.
Paper checks you have received but you have not cashed:
- Make sure the ‘stub’ is still attached to the check – this should be attached to your check, and it details the amount paid
- Write a letter of explanation which should include your name and identification number (this will be your SSN or ITIN) and outline that you believe you received the check in error
- Mail the check and your explanation letter to:
ATTN: Golden State Stimulus Fund,
Franchise Tax Board,
PO Box 3070,
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3070.
Paper version checks that have not yet been cashed:
- Send a check or money order that is payable to the California Franchise Tax Board.
- Be sure to state “Erroneous GSS payment” on the check/money order
- Write a letter of explanation which should include your name and identification number (this will be your SSN or ITIN) and outline that you believe you received the check in error
- Mail your personal check/money order and your explanation letter to:
ATTN: Golden State Stimulus Fund
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 3070
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3070
How to file an amended tax return
It is a common occurrence that nonresidents accidentally file as residents when they are completing their tax return.
It’s always a good idea to double-check whether you filed correctly on your previous return.
After all, filing incorrectly can lead to complications why applying for a US Visa or Green Card in the future.
The Substantial Presence Test, which determines your tax residency, is easy to do and you can do it for free using Sprintax Returns.
If you discover that you did in fact make an error on your tax return, you will need to amend it as soon as possible and file form 1040X.
It’s easy to amend your tax return online using Sprintax Returns.
Who can help me with my US taxes?
Sprintax Returns!
US tax can be especially confusing for nonresidents who are used to dealing with taxes in their home country.
That’s why our team is happy to help any time.
We can assist you in preparing both Federal and State tax returns and help you claim your maximum legal US tax refund!
You’ll be asked a few straight-forward questions and based on the information you provide, you will then be able to download your fully completed and compliant 1040NR (nonresident tax return).
As well as this, our Live Chat team can assist in any of your tax-related queries 24/7!
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OPT 중인 유학생을 위한 궁극적인 세금 가이드
(Updated for 2022)
OPT란?
OPT(Optional Practical Training)는 F-1를 소지한 유학생들이 12개월 동안 미국에서 일할 수 있는 기회를 제공합니다. 12개월 후 전공이 STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)이라면 24개월까지 OPT를 연장할 수 있습니다.
대개 대학 졸업 후 OPT를 합니다. 9개월 이상 학위 과정을 밟고 전공 분야에서 일할 자격과 실무 지식을 갖춘 후 OPT를 하기도 합니다. Continue reading “OPT 중인 유학생을 위한 궁극적인 세금 가이드” »