How do F-1 students handle U.S. taxes?
F-1 students start with the IRS pages for foreign students and scholars, and with Publication 519. Those pages explain the federal rules, including when Form 8843 comes up. This guide does not decide if you are a resident for tax purposes or if you must file.
What to do next
- Open the IRS page for foreign students, scholars, teachers, and exchange visitors, then Publication 519. Tax residency is not the same thing as the visa in your passport.
- Read the IRS page for Form 8843 if you are in F, J, M, or Q status. The form instructions say who has to send it.
- Wages from an employer are usually reported on Form W-2. Use the form your employer gave you, not a template from social media.
- State income tax is separate from the federal return. The Federation of Tax Administrators lists each state’s tax agency. Rates and deadlines are not copied here.
Source: IRS, foreign students and scholars (opens in a new tab) · Checked:
Related sections: Taxes
This is a map of public pages, not advice about your own case.