What documents do I need to file my taxes as an F-1 student?

 If you're an F-1 international student in the U.S., here’s a clear list of the documents you need to file your taxes properly, depending on whether you earned income.

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🧾 Documents You’ll Need (As an F-1 Student)

✅ 1. Passport and Visa

• Proof of your nonresident or resident alien status

✅ 2. I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Status)

• Confirms your F-1 student status and program dates

✅ 3. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

• Required if you earned U.S. income

• If no income: ITIN not required to file Form 8843

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📄 Tax Forms You May Receive

Depending on your type of income:

Form	Who Sends It	What It Reports	Needed If...
W-2	Employer	Wages and tax withheld	You had a job (CPT/OPT)
1042-S	University or employer	Scholarships, treaty benefits	You received a scholarship or treaty-exempt income
1099-NEC or 1099-MISC	Company/client	Contract/self-employment income	(Rare for F-1 unless specially authorized)
1098-T	School	Tuition paid (for education credits)	NOT useful for 1040-NR filers (nonresidents)

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📄 Tax Forms You Will File

Form	Purpose	Who Files It
Form 1040-NR	Federal tax return for nonresident aliens	F-1 students in U.S. < 5 years
Form 8843	Explains your visa and tax-exempt status	All F-1 students, even with no income
Form 1040	Federal tax return for resident aliens	F-1 students in U.S. > 5 years and pass Substantial Presence Test
State tax return(s)	Taxes owed to U.S. states	If you earned income in any state with income tax

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🗂 Optional/Helpful Documents

• Last year's tax return (if you filed before)

• Bank statements (to double-check deposits or direct deposits)

• Summary of days you were physically in the U.S. (for Substantial Presence Test)

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💡 Tools You Might Need:

If you're filing Form 1040-NR:

• Sprintax – Popular for F-1 students

• Glacier Tax Prep – Often provided by schools

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Would you like a checklist you can print or keep? Or would you like help figuring out your residency status to know which form to file?