Filing Income Taxes

All students attending on an F-1 visa – and their dependents – are required to submit documentation to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes, even if they did not work or receive any income.  This means that you will need to file a form with the IRS. 

Download ISP's Tax Quick Guide

 Tax Filing Deadlines and Instructions

  • Any U.S.  Income*  

    You will need to complete IRS Form 8843 and you may need to also file a tax return, such as a Form1040NR, by the tax filing deadline. You can find Form 8843 on the IRS website.

    The International Student Programs office cannot advise you on how to complete your tax return.  You may consult with a tax preparation service, professional tax accountant or tax attorney who is knowledgeable about nonresident tax law.  

    IRS Foreign Students and Scholars Website

    *Note that scholarships, grants or stipends may count as income under IRS rules.

  • No U.S. Income

    You will need to complete IRS Form 8843 and mail it to the IRS.  You can find Form 8843 on the IRS website.  This form is not a tax return and a U.S. Social Security number is not required.  It is an informational form required by the U.S. government for certain nonresidents and their dependents. 

Tax Services

VITA provides FREE Online Tax Filing Assistance for De Anza Students:

    • Click here to make an appointment. The Zoom sessions are available every Wednesday from February 5, 2025 to April 9, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    • You may qualify for VITA services if you made $79,000 or less last year.
    • International Students who had income and need to file 1040NR are welcome to use this service.

IMPORTANT: You must bring the following items to have your tax returns prepared:

    • Proof of identification
    • Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents, or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
    • Birthdates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
    • Current year’s tax package, if you received one
    • Wage and earning statements (Forms W-2, W-2G or 1099-R) from all employers
    • Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)
    • Proof of health insurance (Forms 1095-A, B or C)
    • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
    • Bank routing number and account number for direct deposit
    • A printout of Form 1098-T (your De Anza educational expenses), which you can find on MyPortal

If you are married and filing jointly, both spouses must be present to sign the forms for electronic filing..
More information and help at earnitkeepitsaveit.org

F-1 visa students should be wary of free tax services or tax prep software like Turbo Tax, which are designed for resident tax payers and may not properly handle your nonresident tax status. 

Two paid software services that are specifically designed to help nonresidents file their taxes are Glacier Tax Prep and Sprintax.

More Resources

Please Remember

The International Student Programs staff are not tax experts and cannot provide you with advice on how to file your taxes.  Each individual has a unique tax situation and is responsible for his or her own taxes.  

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