An international student's guide to US tax returns. Created by Caitlin Queima. Hello there! Welcome to the USA. I'm Uncle Sam, and we're glad to have you studying here in the U.S. Just don't forget tax day. As an international student, you might be wondering, "I'm not a U.S. citizen, do I have to file a US tax return?" Yes, as Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." The government needs tax returns to keep track of how much people are earning and ensure that people are paying the correct amount in taxes. So what if I didn't make any money? The answer is still yes. All international students and their dependents are required to file US tax returns for every year that they're in the US. So it's pretty confusing, where do you begin? There are six steps. First, determine your tax filing status. Next, determine if you have any US source income. These will then determine the appropriate tax forms. Then, you need to gather the necessary documents, fill out your tax forms, and then print, sign, and mail your forms before the deadline. So let's go back to step one. What is your tax filing status? There are two possible options. If you have a green card, you are a resident alien. If not, you can ask yourself, "Have you stayed in the US for five or more years?" This applies to people on F, J, M, and Q visas. If yes, you are likely a resident alien. And if not, if you've been in the US for less than five years, then you are a non-resident alien. So, what qualifies as US source income? It might be scholarships that cover your living expenses if you're an RA, TA, or have a fellowship...
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