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U.S. Tax Guide For Aliens: Publication 519
U.S. Tax Guide For Aliens: Publication 519
for Aliens
Treasury
Internal Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Revenue
Service Chapter 1. Nonresident Alien or
Resident Alien? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2015 Returns
Chapter 3. Exclusions From Gross
Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Future Developments
For the latest information about developments
related to Pub. 519, such as legislation enacted
after it was published, go to www.irs.gov/
pub519.
Introduction
For tax purposes, an alien is an individual who
is not a U.S. citizen. Aliens are classified as
nonresident aliens and resident aliens. This
publication will help you determine your status
and give you information you will need to file
your U.S. tax return. Resident aliens generally
are taxed on their worldwide income, the same
as U.S. citizens. Nonresident aliens are taxed
Get forms and other information faster and easier at: only on their income from sources within the
IRS.gov (English) IRS.gov/Korean ()
IRS.gov/Spanish (Espaol) United States and on certain income connected
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IRS.gov/Chinese () IRS.gov/Vietnamese (TingVit) with the conduct of a trade or business in the
United States.
Table A. Where To Find What You Need To Know About U.S. Taxes
Commonly Asked Questions Where To Find The Answer
Can I be a nonresident alien and a resident alien in the same See Dual-Status Aliens in chapter 1.
year? See chapter 6.
I am a resident alien and my spouse is a nonresident alien. Are See Nonresident Spouse Treated as a Resident
there special rules for us? in chapter 1.
See Community Income in chapter 2.
Is my scholarship subject to U.S. tax? See Scholarship Grants, Prizes, and Awards in chapter 2.
See Scholarship and Fellowship Grants in chapter 3.
See chapter 9.
What is the tax rate on my income subject to U.S. tax? See chapter 4.
I moved to the United States this year. Can I deduct my moving See Deductions in chapter 5.
expenses on my U.S. return?
Can I claim exemptions for my spouse and children? See Exemptions in chapter 5.
I pay income taxes to my home country. Can I get credit for these See Tax Credits and Payments in chapter 5.
taxes on my U.S. tax return?
What forms must I file and when and where do I file them? See chapter 7.
Am I eligible for any benefits under a tax treaty? See Income Entitled to Tax Treaty Benefits in chapter 8.
See chapter 9.
Is there anything special I have to do before leaving the United See chapter 11.
States? See Expatriation Tax in chapter 4.
ments and tax provisions. See Expatriation Tax Days you are in the United States for less This is true even if the meeting is held at the air-
in chapter 4. than 24 hours when you are in transit be- port.
tween two places outside the United
Termination of residency after June 3, States. Crew members. Do not count the days you
2004, and before June 17, 2008. If you termi- Days you are in the United States as a are temporarily present in the United States as
nated your residency after June 3, 2004, and crew member of a foreign vessel. a regular crew member of a foreign vessel (boat
before June 17, 2008, you will still be consid- Days you are unable to leave the United or ship) engaged in transportation between the
ered a U.S. resident for tax purposes until you States because of a medical condition that United States and a foreign country or a U.S.
notify the Secretary of Homeland Security and arose while you are in the United States. possession. However, this exception does not
file Form 8854. Days you are an exempt individual. apply if you otherwise engage in any trade or
Termination of residency after June 16, business in the United States on those days.
The specific rules that apply to each of these
2008. For information on your residency termi- categories are discussed next.
nation date, see Former long-term resident un- Medical condition. Do not count the days you
der Expatriation After June 16, 2008, in chap- intended to leave, but could not leave the Uni-
Regular commuters from Canada or Mex-
ter 4. ted States because of a medical condition or
ico. Do not count the days on which you com-
problem that arose while you were in the United
mute to work in the United States from your res-
States. Whether you intended to leave the Uni-
Substantial Presence Test idence in Canada or Mexico if you regularly
ted States on a particular day is determined
commute from Canada or Mexico. You are con-
based on all the facts and circumstances. For
You will be considered a U.S. resident for tax sidered to commute regularly if you commute to example, you may be able to establish that you
purposes if you meet the substantial presence work in the United States on more than 75% of intended to leave if your purpose for visiting the
test for calendar year 2015. To meet this test, the workdays during your working period. United States could be accomplished during a
you must be physically present in the United For this purpose, commute means to travel period that is not long enough to qualify you for
States on at least: to work and return to your residence within a the substantial presence test. However, if you
24-hour period. Workdays are the days on need an extended period of time to accomplish
1. 31 days during 2015, and
which you work in the United States or Canada the purpose of your visit and that period would
2. 183 days during the 3-year period that in- or Mexico. Working period means the period qualify you for the substantial presence test,
cludes 2015, 2014, and 2013, counting: beginning with the first day in the current year you would not be able to establish an intent to
on which you are physically present in the Uni- leave the United States before the end of that
a. All the days you were present in 2015,
ted States to work and ending on the last day in extended period.
and
the current year on which you are physically In the case of an individual who is judged
b. 1
3 of the days you were present in present in the United States to work. If your mentally incompetent, proof of intent to leave
2014, and work requires you to be present in the United the United States can be determined by analyz-
States only on a seasonal or cyclical basis, your ing the individual's pattern of behavior before he
c. 1
6 of the days you were present in
working period begins on the first day of the or she was judged mentally incompetent.
2013.
season or cycle on which you are present in the If you qualify to exclude days of presence
Example. You were physically present in United States to work and ends on the last day because of a medical condition, you must file a
the United States on 120 days in each of the of the season or cycle on which you are present fully completed Form 8843 with the IRS. See
years 2013, 2014, and 2015. To determine if in the United States to work. You can have Form 8843, later.
you meet the substantial presence test for more than one working period in a calendar You cannot exclude any days of presence in
2015, count the full 120 days of presence in year, and your working period can begin in one the United States under the following circum-
2015, 40 days in 2014 (1 3 of 120), and 20 days calendar year and end in the following calendar stances.
in 2013 (1 6 of 120). Because the total for the year. You were initially prevented from leaving,
3-year period is 180 days, you are not consid- were then able to leave, but remained in
ered a resident under the substantial presence Example. Maria Perez lives in Mexico and
test for 2015. works for Compaa ABC in its office in Mexico.
The tax year for which the statement ap- chapter 6 do not apply to you.
nonresident aliens for 2015. If Dick becomes a
plies. resident alien again in 2016, their choice is no
The last day that you were present in the Example. Bob and Sharon Williams are longer suspended.
United States during the year. married and both are nonresident aliens at the
Sufficient facts to establish that you have beginning of the year. In June, Bob became a
maintained your tax home in, and that you
Ending the Choice
resident alien and remained a resident for the
have a closer connection to, a foreign rest of the year. Bob and Sharon both choose to Once made, the choice to be treated as a resi-
country following your last day of presence be treated as resident aliens by attaching a dent applies to all later years unless suspended
in the United States during the year or fol- statement to their joint return. Bob and Sharon (as explained earlier under Suspending the
lowing the abandonment or rescission of must file a joint return for the year they make the Choice) or ended in one of the following ways.
your status as a lawful permanent resident choice, but they can file either joint or separate
during the year. returns for later years.
The date that your status as a lawful per- If the choice is ended in one of the following
manent resident was abandoned or rescin- ways, neither spouse can make this choice in
ded. How To Make the Choice any later tax year.
Sufficient facts (including copies of rele- 1. Revocation. Either spouse can revoke
vant documents) to establish that your sta- Attach a statement, signed by both spouses, to
your joint return for the first tax year for which the choice for any tax year, provided he or
tus as a lawful permanent resident has she makes the revocation by the due date
been abandoned or rescinded. the choice applies. It should contain the follow-
ing information. for filing the tax return for that tax year.
If you can exclude days under the de mini- The spouse who revokes the choice must
mis presence rule, discussed earlier, in- A declaration that one spouse was a non-
resident alien and the other spouse a U.S. attach a signed statement declaring that
clude the dates of the days you are exclud- the choice is being revoked. The state-
ing and sufficient facts to establish that you citizen or resident alien on the last day of
your tax year, and that you choose to be ment must include the name, address, and
have maintained your tax home in and that identification number of each spouse. (If
you have a closer connection to a foreign treated as U.S. residents for the entire tax
year. one spouse dies, include the name and
country during the period you are exclud- address of the person who is revoking the
ing. The name, address, and identification
number of each spouse. (If one spouse choice for the deceased spouse.) The
Attach the required statement to your in- died, include the name and address of the statement also must include a list of any
come tax return. If you are not required to file a person making the choice for the de- states, foreign countries, and possessions
return, send the statement to the Department of ceased spouse.) that have community property laws in
the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, which either spouse is domiciled or where
Austin, TX 73301-0215, on or before the due Amended return. You generally make this real property is located from which either
date for filing Form 1040NR or Form choice when you file your joint return. However, spouse receives income. File the state-
1040NR-EZ. The due date for filing is dis- you can also make the choice by filing a joint ment as follows.
cussed in chapter 7. amended return on Form 1040X. Attach Form a. If the spouse revoking the choice
If you do not file the required statement as 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ and print must file a return, attach the state-
explained above, you cannot claim that you Amended across the top of the corrected re- ment to the return for the first year the
have a closer connection to a foreign country or turn. If you make the choice with an amended revocation applies.
countries. This does not apply if you can show return, you and your spouse must also amend
by clear and convincing evidence that you took any returns that you may have filed after the b. If the spouse revoking the choice
reasonable actions to become aware of the re- year for which you made the choice. does not have to file a return, but
quirements for filing the statement and signifi- You generally must file the amended joint does file a return (for example, to ob-
cant steps to comply with those requirements. return within 3 years from the date you filed tain a refund), attach the statement to
your original U.S. income tax return or 2 years the return.
from the date you paid your income tax for that
Nonresident Spouse year, whichever is later.
c. If the spouse revoking the choice
does not have to file a return and
Treated as a Resident does not file a claim for refund, send
Suspending the Choice the statement to the Internal Revenue
If, at the end of your tax year, you are married Service Center where you filed the
and one spouse is a U.S. citizen or a resident The choice to be treated as a resident alien is last joint return.
alien and the other spouse is a nonresident suspended for any tax year (after the tax year
2. Death. The death of either spouse ends
alien, you can choose to treat the nonresident you made the choice) if neither spouse is a U.S.
the choice, beginning with the first tax year
spouse as a U.S. resident. This includes situa- citizen or resident alien at any time during the
following the year the spouse died. How-
tions in which one spouse is a nonresident alien tax year. This means each spouse must file a
ever, if the surviving spouse is a U.S. citi-
at the beginning of the tax year, but a resident separate return as a nonresident alien for that
zen or resident and is entitled to the joint
alien at the end of the year, and the other year if either meets the filing requirements for
tax rates as a surviving spouse, the choice
spouse is a nonresident alien at the end of the nonresident aliens discussed in chapter 7.
will not end until the close of the last year
year. for which these joint rates may be used. If
Example. Dick Brown was a resident alien
on December 31, 2012, and married to Judy, a both spouses die in the same tax year, the
Exceptions. U.S. source interest income does specified notional principal contracts, and other
not include the following items. equity derivatives. These regulations generally
After you have determined your alien status, do not apply to transactions entered into before
you must determine the source of your income. 1. Interest paid by a resident alien or a do- January 1, 2017. You can view these regula-
This chapter will help you determine the source mestic corporation on obligations issued tions at www.irs.gov/irb/2015-41_IRB/
of different types of income you may receive before August 10, 2010, if for the 3-year ar07.html .
during the tax year. This chapter also discusses period ending with the close of the payer's
special rules for married individuals who are do- tax year preceding the interest payment, First exception. Dividends received from a
miciled in a country with community property at least 80% of the payer's total gross in- domestic corporation are not U.S. source in-
laws. come: come if the corporation elects to take the Ameri-
can Samoa economic development credit.
a. Is from sources outside the United
Topics States, and Second exception. Part of the dividends
This chapter discusses: received from a foreign corporation is U.S.
b. Is attributable to the active conduct of
a trade or business by the individual source income if 25% or more of its total gross
Income source rules, and or corporation in a foreign country or a income for the 3-year period ending with the
Community income. U.S. possession. close of its tax year preceding the declaration of
dividends was effectively connected with a
chapter.
ness. The following discussions will help you ties. If your only U.S. business activity is trad-
determine if income you receive during the tax ing in stocks, securities, or commodities (includ-
year is effectively connected with a U.S. trade Trade or Business ing hedging transactions) through a U.S.
or business and how it is taxed. resident broker or other agent, you are not en-
in the United States gaged in a trade or business in the United
Topics States.
Generally, you must be engaged in a trade or
This chapter discusses: For transactions in stocks or securities, this
business during the tax year to be able to treat
applies to any nonresident alien, including a
income received in that year as effectively con-
Income that is effectively connected with a dealer or broker in stocks and securities.
nected with that trade or business. Whether you
U.S. trade or business. are engaged in a trade or business in the United For transactions in commodities, this applies
Income that is not effectively connected States depends on the nature of your activities. to commodities that are usually traded on an or-
with a U.S. trade or business. The discussions that follow will help you deter- ganized commodity exchange and to transac-
Interrupted period of residence. mine whether you are engaged in a trade or tions that are usually carried out at such an ex-
business in the United States. change.
Expatriation tax.
This discussion does not apply if you have a
U.S. office or other fixed place of business at
Personal Services
Useful Items any time during the tax year through which, or
You may want to see: by the direction of which, you carry out your
If you perform personal services in the United
transactions in stocks, securities, or commodi-
States at any time during the tax year, you usu-
Publication ally are considered engaged in a trade or busi- ties.
544 Sales and Other Dispositions of ness in the United States. Trading for a nonresident alien's own
Assets Certain compensation paid to a non- account. You are not engaged in a trade or
resident alien by a foreign employer is business in the United States if trading for your
1212 List of Original Issue Discount TIP own account in stocks, securities, or commodi-
Instruments not included in gross income. For
more information, see Services Performed for ties is your only U.S. business activity. This ap-
Foreign Employer in chapter 3. plies even if the trading takes place while you
Form (and Instructions)
are present in the United States or is done by
6251 Alternative Minimum your employee or your broker or other agent.
TaxIndividuals Other Trade or Business Activities This does not apply to trading for your own
account if you are a dealer in stocks, securities,
Schedule D (Form 1040) Capital Gains
Other examples of being engaged in a trade or or commodities. This does not necessarily
and Losses
business in the United States follow. mean, however, that as a dealer you are con-
See chapter 12 for information about getting sidered to be engaged in a trade or business in
these publications and forms. the United States. Determine that based on the
If you are a nonresident alien filing Form Note. Even if your spouse is considered un- Ordinary and necessary business expen-
1040NR, you may be able to use one of the fil- married for head of household purposes be- ses. You can deduct all ordinary and neces-
ing statuses discussed later. If you are filing cause you are a nonresident alien, your spouse sary expenses in the operation of your U.S.
Form 1040NR-EZ, you can only claim Single may still be considered married for purposes of trade or business to the extent they relate to in-
nonresident alien or Married nonresident the earned income credit. In that case, your come effectively connected with that trade or
alien as your filing status. spouse will not be entitled to the credit. See business. The deduction for travel expenses
Pub. 596 for more information. while in the United States is discussed under
Married nonresident alien. Married nonresi- Itemized Deductions, later. For information
dent aliens who are not married to U.S. citizens Estates and trusts. A nonresident alien estate
about other business expenses, see Pub. 535.
or residents generally must use the Tax Table or trust using Form 1040NR must use Tax Rate
column or the Tax Computation Worksheet for Schedule W in the Form 1040NR instructions Losses. You can deduct losses resulting from
married filing separate returns when determin- when determining the tax on income effectively transactions that you entered into for profit and
ing the tax on income effectively connected with connected with a U.S. trade or business. that you were not reimbursed for by insurance,
a U.S. trade or business. etc. to the extent that they relate to income that
Special rules for aliens from certain U.S.
is effectively connected with a trade or business
Exceptions. Married nonresident aliens possessions. A nonresident alien who is a
in the United States.
normally cannot use the Tax Table column or bona fide resident of American Samoa or Pu-
For information about these rules, see Pub. theft loss to property held for personal use. You services in the United States. Generally, a tem-
526. can deduct only the total of these losses for the porary assignment in a single location is one
year (reduced by the $100 limit) that is more that is realistically expected to last (and does in
Limit. The amount you can deduct in a tax than 10% of your adjusted gross income fact last) for one year or less. You must be able
year is limited in the same way it is for a citizen (line 37, Form 1040NR) for the year. to show you were present in the United States
or resident of the United States. For a discus- on an activity that required your temporary ab-
sion of limits on charitable contributions and Losses from income-producing prop- sence from your regular place of work.
other information, get Pub. 526. erty. These losses are not subject to the limita- For example, if you have established a tax
tions that apply to personal use property. Use home through regular employment in a foreign
Casualty and theft losses. You can deduct Section B of Form 4684 to figure your deduction country, and intend to return to similar employ-
your loss from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other for these losses. ment in the same country at the end of your
casualty, or theft of property even though your
temporary stay in the United States, you can
property is not connected with a U.S. trade or Job expenses and other miscellaneous de-
deduct reasonable travel expenses you paid.
business. The property can be personal use ductions. You can deduct job expenses, such
You cannot deduct travel expenses for other
property or income-producing property not con- as allowable unreimbursed travel expenses members of your family or party.
nected with a U.S. trade or business. The prop- (discussed next), and other miscellaneous de-
erty must be located in the United States at the ductions. Generally, the allowable deductions Deductible travel expenses. If you qual-
time of the casualty or theft. You can deduct must be related to effectively connected in- ify, you can deduct your expenses for:
theft losses only in the year in which you dis- come. Deductible expenses include: Transportationairfare, local transporta-
cover the loss. Union dues, tion, including train, bus, etc.,
The amount of the loss is the fair market Safety equipment and small tools needed Lodgingrent paid, utilities (do not include
value of the property immediately before the for your job, telephone), hotel or motel room expenses,
casualty or theft less its fair market value imme- Dues to professional organizations, and
diately after the casualty or theft (but not more Meal expensesactual expenses allowed
than its cost or adjusted basis) less any insur- Subscriptions to professional journals, if you keep records of the amounts, or, if
ance or other reimbursement. The fair market Tax return preparation fees, and you do not wish to keep detailed records,
value of property immediately after a theft is Casualty and theft losses of property used you are generally allowed a standard meal
considered zero, because you no longer have in performing services as an employee allowance amount depending on the date
the property. (employee property). and area of your travel. You generally can
If your property is covered by insurance, you deduct only 50% of unreimbursed meal ex-
should file a timely insurance claim for reim- Most miscellaneous itemized deductions are penses. The standard meal allowance
bursement. If you do not, you cannot deduct deductible only if they are more than 2% of your rates for high-cost areas are available at
this loss as a casualty or theft loss. adjusted gross income (line 37, Form 1040NR). www.gsa.gov/perdiem. The rates for other
For more information on miscellaneous deduc- areas are in Pub. 463.
Figure your deductible casualty and theft
losses on Form 4684. tions, see the instructions for Form 1040NR.
Use Form 2106 or 2106-EZ to figure your al-
Losses from personal use property. You Travel expenses. You may be able to deduct lowable expenses that you claim on line 7 of
cannot deduct the first $100 of each casualty or your ordinary and necessary travel expenses Schedule A (Form 1040NR).
while you are temporarily performing personal
ule A. 3. Your exemption is claimed by someone You cannot claim the credit using an ITIN. If a
else on his or her 2015 tax return, or social security card has a legend that says Not
More information. For more information Valid for Employment and the number was is-
about deductible expenses, reimbursements, 4. Your adjusted gross income is more than: sued so that you (or your spouse or your quali-
and recordkeeping, get Pub. 463. a. $61,000, if your filing status is married fying child) could receive a federally funded
filing jointly, benefit, you cannot claim the earned income
credit. An example of a federally funded benefit
Tax Credits b. $45,750, if your filing status is head of
household, or
is Medicaid. If a card has this legend and the in-
dividual's immigration status has changed so
and Payments c. $30,500, if your filing status is single, that the individual is now a U.S. citizen or lawful
married filing separately, or qualifying permanent resident, ask the SSA to issue a new
This discussion covers tax credits and pay- widow(er). social security card without the legend.
ments for resident aliens, followed by a discus-
sion of the credits and payments for nonresi- Use Form 8880 to figure the credit. For more in- Other information. There are other eligibil-
dent aliens. formation, see Pub. 590. ity rules that are not discussed here. For more
information, get Pub. 596.
Child tax credit. You may be able to take this
Resident Aliens credit if you have a qualifying child.
A qualifying child for purposes of the child Nonresident Aliens
Resident aliens generally claim tax credits and tax credit is a child who:
report tax payments, including withholding, us- You can claim some of the same credits that
Was under age 17 at the end of 2015.
ing the same rules that apply to U.S. citizens. resident aliens can claim. You can also report
Is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster certain taxes you paid, are considered to have
The following items are some of the credits child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsis- paid, or that were withheld from your income.
you may be able to claim. ter, half-brother, half-sister, or a descend-
ant of any of them (for example, your
Foreign tax credit. You can claim a credit, grandchild, niece, or nephew).
Credits
subject to certain limits, for income tax you paid Is a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a resi-
Credits are allowed only if you receive effec-
or accrued to a foreign country on foreign dent alien.
tively connected income. You may be able to
source income. You cannot claim a credit for Did not provide over half of his or her own claim some of the following credits.
taxes paid or accrued on excluded foreign support for 2015.
earned income. To claim a credit for income Lived with you more than half of 2015. Foreign tax credit. If you receive foreign
taxes paid or accrued to a foreign country, you Temporary absences, such as for school, source income that is effectively connected with
generally will file Form 1116 with your Form vacation, or medical care, count as time a trade or business in the United States, you
1040. lived in the home. can claim a credit for any income taxes paid or
For more information, get Pub. 514. Is claimed as a dependent on your return. accrued to any foreign country or U.S. posses-
sion on that income.
Child and dependent care credit. You may An adopted child is always treated as your own
child. An adopted child includes a child lawfully If you do not have foreign source income ef-
be able to take this credit if you pay someone to
placed with you for legal adoption. fectively connected with a U.S. trade or busi-
care for your qualifying child who is under age
ness, you cannot claim credits against your
13, or your disabled dependent or disabled See your form instructions for additional de-
U.S. tax for taxes paid or accrued to a foreign
spouse, so that you can work or look for work. tails.
country or U.S. possession.
Generally, you must be able to claim an exemp-
Adoption credit. You may qualify to take a tax You cannot take any credit for taxes im-
tion for your dependent.
credit of up to $13,400 for qualifying expenses posed by a foreign country or U.S. possession
For more information, get Pub. 503 and
paid to adopt an eligible child. This amount may on your U.S. source income if those taxes were
Form 2441.
be allowed for the adoption of a child with spe- imposed only because you are a citizen or resi-
cial needs regardless of whether you have qual- dent of the foreign country or possession.
Credit for the elderly or the disabled. You
may qualify for this credit if you are 65 or older ifying expenses. To claim the adoption credit,
or if you retired on permanent and total disabil- file Form 8839 with your Form 1040.
using an ITIN. If a social security card has a leg- rate or at a lower treaty rate.
end that says Not Valid for Employment and the
Retirement savings contributions credit.
number was issued so that you (or your spouse Tax withheld on partnership income. If you
You may qualify for this credit (also known as
or your qualifying child) could receive a feder- are a foreign partner in a partnership, the part-
the saver's credit) if you made eligible contribu-
ally funded benefit, you cannot claim the earned nership will withhold tax on your share of effec-
tions to an employer-sponsored retirement plan
income credit. An example of a federally funded tively connected taxable income from the part-
or to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA)
benefit is Medicaid. If a card has this legend nership. The partnership will give you a
in 2015. You cannot claim this credit if:
and the individual's immigration status has statement on Form 8805, showing the tax with-
You were born after January 1, 1998,
changed so that the individual is now a U.S. citi- held. A partnership that is publicly traded may
You were a full-time student, zen or lawful permanent resident, ask the SSA withhold on your actual distributions of effec-
Your exemption is claimed by someone to issue a new social security card without the tively connected income. In this case, the part-
else on his or her 2015 tax return, or legend. nership will give you a statement on Form
Your adjusted gross income is more than 1042-S. Claim the tax withheld as a payment on
$30,500. See Pub. 596 for more information on the line 62b or 62d of Form 1040NR, as appropri-
credit. ate.
Use Form 8880 to figure the credit. For more in-
formation, see Pub. 590. Claiming tax withheld on your return. When
Tax Withheld you fill out your tax return, take extra care to en-
Child tax credit. You may be able to take this ter the correct amount of any tax withheld
credit if you have a qualifying child. You can claim the tax withheld during the year
shown on your information documents. The fol-
A qualifying child for purposes of the child as a payment against your U.S. tax. You claim it
lowing table lists some of the more common in-
tax credit is a child who: on line 62 of Form 1040NR or on line 18 of
formation documents and shows where to find
Was under age 17 at the end of 2015. Form 1040NR-EZ. The tax withheld reduces
the amount of tax withheld.
any tax you owe with Form 1040NR or Form
Is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster 1040NR-EZ.
child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsis-
ter, half-brother, half-sister, or a descend- Withholding from wages. Any federal income
ant of any of them (for example, your tax withheld from your wages during the tax
grandchild, niece, or nephew). year while you were a nonresident alien is al-
The following discussion generally applies only gross income for 2015 and cannot be claimed The statement can be in any form, but it
to nonresident aliens. Tax is withheld from resi- as a dependent on another U.S. taxpayer's must be dated and signed by the employee and
dent aliens in the same manner as U.S. citi- 2015 return. You may also claim an additional must include a written declaration that it is
zens. withholding allowance for each of your depend- made under the penalties of perjury.
ents not admitted to the United States on F-2,
Wages and other compensation paid to a J-2, or M-2 visas if they meet the same rules Residents of American Samoa and Puerto
nonresident alien for services performed as an that apply to U.S. citizens. Rico. If you are a nonresident alien employee
pare your annual U.S. income tax return. which you incorrectly claimed a treaty exemp-
the part of your grant or scholarship that is not tion. For more details on treaty provisions that
taxable under U.S. law or under a tax treaty. apply to compensation, see Pub. 901.
Line B. Enter -0- unless the following para-
Income Entitled to
graph applies to you. Tax Treaty Benefits
If you are a student who qualifies under Arti- Tax Withheld on
Real Property Sales
cle 21(2) of the United States-India Income Tax If a tax treaty between the United States and
Treaty, and you are not claiming deductions for your country provides an exemption from, or a
away-from-home expenses or other itemized reduced rate of, tax for certain items of income,
deductions (discussed earlier), enter the stand- you should notify the payor of the income (the If you are a nonresident alien and you dispose
ard deduction on line B. The standard deduc- withholding agent) of your foreign status to of a U.S. real property interest before February
tion amount for 2016 is $6,300. claim a tax treaty withholding exemption. Gen- 17, 2016, the transferee (buyer) of the property
erally, you do this by filing either Form W-8BEN generally must withhold a tax equal to 10% of
Lines C and D. Enter -0- on both lines unless or Form 8233 with the withholding agent. the amount realized on the disposition.
the following paragraphs apply to you.
File Form W-8BEN for income that is not For dispositions of a U.S. real property inter-
If you are a resident of Canada, Mexico,
personal services income. File Form 8233 for est after February 16, 2016, the rate of with-
South Korea, or a U.S. national, an additional
personal services income as discussed next. holding has generally increased to 15%. How-
daily exemption amount may be allowed for
ever, if the property is acquired after February
your spouse and each of your dependents.
Employees and independent contractors. If 16, 2016, by the buyer for use as a residence
If you are a resident of India who is eligible and the amount realized does not exceed
for the benefits of Article 21(2) of the United you perform personal services as an employee
or as an independent contractor and you can $1,000,000, the rate of withholding remains at
States-India Income Tax Treaty, you can claim 10%.
an additional daily exemption amount for your claim an exemption from withholding on that
spouse only if your spouse will have no gross personal service income because of a tax The amount realized is the sum of:
income for 2016 and cannot be claimed as a treaty, give Form 8233 to each withholding The cash paid, or to be paid (principal
dependent on another U.S. taxpayer's 2016 re- agent from whom amounts will be received. only);
turn. You can also claim an additional amount Even if you submit Form 8233, the withhold- The fair market value of other property
for each of your dependents not admitted to the ing agent may have to withhold tax from your in- transferred, or to be transferred; and
United States on F-2, J-2, or M-2 visas if come. This is because the factors on which the The amount of any liability assumed by the
they meet the same rules that apply to U.S. citi- treaty exemption is based may not be determi- transferee or to which the property is sub-
zens. nable until after the close of the tax year. In this ject immediately before and after the trans-
Enter any additional amount for your spouse case, you must file Form 1040NR (or Form fer.
on line C. Enter any additional amount for your 1040NR-EZ if you qualify) to recover any over-
withheld tax and to provide the IRS with proof If the property transferred was owned jointly
dependents on line D.
that you are entitled to the treaty exemption. by U.S. and foreign persons, the amount real-
ized is allocated between the transferors based
Lines E, F, and G. No entries should be made Students, teachers, and researchers. on the capital contribution of each transferor.
on lines E, F, and G. Students, teachers, and researchers must at-
tach the appropriate statement shown in Ap- A distribution by a qualified investment entity
Line H. Add the amounts on lines A through D pendix A (for students) or Appendix B (for to a nonresident alien shareholder that is
and enter the total on line H. teachers and researchers) at the end of this treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a
publication to the Form 8233 and give it to the U.S. real property interest by the shareholder is
Form W-4. Complete lines 1 through 4 of Form withholding agent. For treaties not listed in the subject to withholding at 35%. Withholding is
W-4. Sign and date the form and give it with the appendices, attach a statement in a format sim- also required on certain distributions and other
Personal Allowances Worksheet to your with- ilar to those for other treaties. transactions by domestic or foreign corpora-
holding agent. If you received a scholarship or fellowship tions, partnerships, trusts, and estates. These
If you file a Form W-4 to reduce or eliminate and personal services income from the same rules are covered in Pub. 515.
the withholding on your scholarship or grant, withholding agent, use Form 8233 to claim an
you must file an annual U.S. income tax return For information on the tax treatment of dis-
exemption from withholding based on a tax
to be allowed the exemptions and deductions positions of U.S. real property interests, see
treaty for both types of income.
you claimed on that form. If you are in the Uni- Real Property Gain or Loss in chapter 4.
ted States during more than one tax year, you Special events and promotions. Withholding If you are a partner in a domestic partner-
must attach a statement to your yearly Form at the full 30% rate is required for payments ship, and the partnership disposes of a U.S.
W-4 indicating that you have filed a U.S. income made to a nonresident alien or foreign corpora- real property interest at a gain, the partnership
tax return for the previous year. If you have not tion for gate receipts (or television or other re- will withhold tax on the amount of gain allocable
been in the United States long enough to be re- ceipts) from rock music festivals, boxing promo- to its foreign partners. Your share of the income
quired to file a return, you must attach a state- tions, and other entertainment or sporting and tax withheld will be reported to you on Form
ment to your Form W-4 saying you will file a events, unless the withholding agent has been 8805, Foreign Partner's Information Statement
U.S. income tax return when required. specifically advised otherwise by letter from the of Section 1446 Withholding Tax, or Form
IRS. Form 13930 is used to request a reduction 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income
After the withholding agent has accepted in withholding. Withholding may be required Subject to Withholding (in the case of a publicly
your Form W-4, tax will be withheld on your even if the income may be exempt from taxation traded partnership).
scholarship or grant at the graduated rates that by provisions of a tax treaty. One reason for this
apply to wages. The gross amount of the in- is that the partial or complete exemption is usu- Withholding is not required in the following
come is reduced by the amount on line H of the ally based on factors that cannot be determined situations.
worksheet and the withholding tax is figured on until after the close of the tax year. 1. The property is acquired by the buyer for
the remainder.
use as a residence and the amount real-
ized is not more than $300,000.
You will receive a Form 1042-S from the
withholding agent (usually the payer of your 2. The property disposed of is an interest in a
grant) showing the gross amount of your domestic corporation if any class of stock
Generally, services performed by you as a non- from your pay in error, you can claim a credit for
the Immigration and Nationality Act. Social se-
resident alien temporarily in the United States any withheld Additional Medicare Tax against
curity and Medicare taxes are not withheld on
as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (F), (J), the total tax liability shown on your tax return by
pay for services of an exchange visitor who has
(M), or (Q) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigra- filing Form 8959 with Form 1040 or 1040NR. If
been given permission to work and who pos-
tion and Nationality Act are not covered under Additional Medicare Tax was withheld in error in
sesses or obtains a letter of authorization from
the social security program if the services are a prior year for which you already filed Form
the sponsor unless the exchange visitor is con-
performed to carry out the purpose for which 1040 or 1040NR, you must file Form 1040X,
sidered a resident alien.
you were admitted to the United States. This Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return,
means that there will be no withholding of social for the prior year in which the wages or com-
If services performed by an exchange visitor
security or Medicare taxes from the pay you re- pensation were originally received to recover
are not considered as performed to carry out
ceive for these services. These types of serv- the Additional Medicare Tax withheld in error.
the purpose for which the visitor was admitted
ices are very limited, and generally include only See the Instructions for Form 1040X.
to the United States, social security and Medi-
on-campus work, practical training, and eco- care taxes are withheld from pay for the serv-
nomic hardship employment. ices unless the pay is exempt under the Internal Agricultural Workers
Revenue Code.
Social security and Medicare taxes will be
withheld from your pay for these services if you Agricultural workers temporarily admitted into
Nonresident aliens temporarily admitted to the United States on H-2A visas are exempt
are considered a resident alien as discussed in
the United States as participants in international from social security and Medicare taxes on
chapter 1, even though your nonimmigrant clas-
cultural exchange programs under section compensation paid to them for services per-
sification (F, J, M, or Q) remains the
101(a)(15)(Q) of the Immigration and National- formed in connection with the H-2A visa. You
same.
ity Act may be exempt from social security and can find more information about not having tax
Services performed by a spouse or minor Medicare taxes. The employer must be the peti- withheld at www.irs.gov/Individuals/
child of nonimmigrant aliens with the classifica- tioner through whom the alien obtained the Q
International-Taxpayers/Foreign-Agricultural-
tion of F-2, J-2, M-2, and Q-3 are covered visa. Social security and Medicare taxes are not
Workers.
under social security. withheld from pay for this work unless the alien
is considered a resident alien.
Nonresident Alien Students
Self-Employment Tax
Refund of Taxes Withheld in Error
Self-employment tax is the social security and
If you are a nonresident alien temporarily admit-
If social security or Medicare taxes were with- Medicare taxes for individuals who are self-em-
ted to the United States as a student, you gen-
held in error from pay that is not subject to ployed. Nonresident aliens are not subject to
erally are not permitted to work for a wage or
these taxes, contact the employer who withheld self-employment tax unless an international so-
salary or to engage in business while you are in
the taxes for a refund. If you are unable to get a cial security agreement in effect determines that
the United States. In some cases, a student ad-
full refund of the amount from your employer, they are covered under the U.S. social security
mitted to the United States in F-1, M-1, or
file a claim for refund with the IRS on Form 843. system. Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands,
J-1 status is granted permission to work. So-
Attach the following items to Form 843. Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the
cial security and Medicare taxes are not with-
A copy of your Form W-2 to prove the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa
held from pay for the work unless the student is
amount of social security and Medicare are considered U.S. residents for this purpose
considered a resident alien.
taxes withheld. and are subject to the self-employment tax.
Any student who is enrolled and regu- A copy of your visa.
larly attending classes at a school may Resident aliens must pay self-employment
TIP Form I-94 (or other documentation show-
be exempt from social security and tax under the same rules that apply to U.S. citi-
ing your dates of arrival or departure). zens. However, a resident alien employed by
Medicare taxes on pay for services performed
If you have an F-1 visa, documentation an international organization, a foreign govern-
for that school.
showing permission to work in the U.S. ment, or a wholly-owned instrumentality of a for-
If you have a J-1 visa, documentation eign government is not subject to the self-em-
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Serv- showing permission to work in the U.S. ployment tax on income earned in the United
ices (USCIS) permits on-campus work for stu- If you are engaged in optional practical States.
dents in F-1 status if it does not displace a training or employment due to severe eco-
U.S. resident. On-campus work means work nomic necessity, documentation showing Self-employment income you receive while
performed on the school's premises. On-cam- permission to work in the U.S. you are a resident alien is subject to self-em-
pus work includes work performed at an A statement from your employer indicating ployment tax even if it was paid for services you
off-campus location that is educationally the amount of the reimbursement your performed as a nonresident alien.
payment by April 18, 2016. If you do not have Example. Arthur Banks is a nonresident
wages subject to withholding, file your income alien who is single and a resident of a foreign
tax return and make your first estimated tax Introduction country that has a tax treaty with the United
payment by June 15, 2016. States. He received gross income of $25,900
A nonresident alien (and certain resident aliens)
If your first estimated tax payment is due from a country with which the United States has during the tax year from sources within the Uni-
April 18, 2016, you can pay your estimated tax an income tax treaty may qualify for certain ben- ted States, consisting of the following items:
in full at that time or in four equal installments by efits. Most treaties require that the nonresident
the dates shown next. alien be a resident of the treaty country to qual- Dividends on which the tax is limited to a 15%
rate by the tax treaty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,400
ify. However, some treaties require that the
1st installment . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 18, 2016 nonresident alien be a national or a citizen of
2nd installment . . . . . . . . . . . . June 15, 2016 Compensation for personal services on which
the treaty country. 24,500
3rd installment . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 15, 2016 the tax is not limited by the tax treaty . . . . . .
See Table 91 below for a list of tax treaty
4th installment . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 17, 2017
countries. Total gross income . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,900
You can generally arrange to have withhold-
If your first payment is not due until June 15,
ing tax reduced or eliminated on wages and Arthur was engaged in business in the Uni-
2016, you can pay your estimated tax in full at
other income that are eligible for tax treaty ben- ted States during the tax year. His dividends are
that time or:
efits. See Income Entitled to Tax Treaty Bene- not effectively connected with that business. He
1. 1
2 of your estimated tax by June 15, 2016, fits in chapter 8. has no deductions other than his own personal
2. 1
4 of the tax by September 15, 2016, and exemption.
Topics His tax liability, figured as though the tax
3. 1
4 by January 17, 2017. This chapter discusses: treaty had not come into effect, is $3,038 deter-
You do not have to make the payment mined as follows:
TIP due January 17, 2017, if you file your Typical tax treaty benefits,
2016 Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ by How to obtain copies of tax treaties, and Total compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,500
January 31, 2017, and pay the entire balance
due with your return. How to claim tax treaty benefits on your tax
Less: Personal exemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,000
return.
Fiscal year. If your return is not on a calen- Taxable income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,500
dar year basis, your due dates are the 15th day Useful Items
of the 4th, 6th, and 9th months of your fiscal You may want to see: Tax determined by graduated rate (Tax Table
year, and the 1st month of the following fiscal column for single taxpayers) . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,618
year. If any date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Publication
legal holiday, use the next day that is not a Sat- 901 U.S. Tax Treaties
Plus: Tax on gross dividends ($1,400
30%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
urday, Sunday, or legal holiday. . . . . .
exemptions, you should adjust your remaining His tax liability, therefore, is limited to
estimated tax payments. To do this, see the in- A nonresident alien's treaty income is the gross $2,828, the tax liability figured using the tax
structions for Form 1040-ES (NR) and Pub. income on which the tax is limited by a tax treaty rate on the dividends.
505. treaty. Treaty income includes, for example,
dividends from sources in the United States that
Penalty for failure to pay estimated income
tax. You will be subject to a penalty for under-
are subject to tax at a tax treaty rate not to ex-
ceed 15%. Nontreaty income is the gross in-
Some Typical Tax
payment of installments of estimated tax except come of a nonresident alien on which the tax is Treaty Benefits
in certain situations. These situations are ex- not limited by a tax treaty.
plained on Form 2210. Figure the tax on treaty income on each The following paragraphs briefly explain the ex-
separate item of income at the reduced rate that emptions that are available under tax treaties
applies to that item under the treaty. for personal services income, remittances,
resident alien claiming this exemption be Example. Jacques Dubois, who is a resi-
Under some income tax treaties, students, ap-
present in the United States for a total of not dent of the United States under Article 4 of the
prentices, and trainees are exempt from tax on
more than 183 days during the tax year. Other U.S.France income tax treaty, receives French
remittances received from abroad for study and
tax treaties specify different periods of maxi- social security benefits. Under Article 18(1) of
maintenance. Also, under some treaties, schol-
mum presence in the United States, such as the treaty, French social security benefits are
arship and fellowship grants, and a limited
180 days or 90 days. Spending part of a day in not taxable by the United States. Mr. Dubois is
amount of compensation received by students,
the United States counts as a day of presence. not required to file a Form 8833 for his French
apprentices, and trainees may be exempt from
tax. social security benefits or report the benefits on
Tax treaties may also require that:
Form 1040.
The compensation cannot be more than a If you entered the United States as a non-
specific amount (frequently $3,000), and resident alien, but are now a resident alien, the
The individual has a foreign employer; that treaty exemption may still apply. See Students, Special Rule for Canadian and
is, an individual, corporation, or entity of a Apprentices, Trainees, Teachers, Professors, German Social Security Benefits
foreign country. and Researchers Who Became Resident Ali-
ens, later, under Resident Aliens. Under income tax treaties with Canada and
Note. Under most treaties, income received Germany, if a U.S. resident receives social se-
as an employee (generally designated as de- curity benefits from Canada or Germany, those
pendent personal services) and income re- Capital Gains benefits are treated for U.S. income tax purpo-
ceived as a self-employed person (generally ses as if they were received under the social
designated as independent personal services Most treaties provide for the exemption of gains security legislation of the United States. If you
or business income) are treated differently. from the sale or exchange of personal property. receive social security benefits from Canada or
Generally, gains from the sale or exchange of Germany, include them on line 1 of your Social
Teachers, Professors, real property located in the United States are Security Benefits Worksheet for purposes of
taxable.
and Researchers determining the taxable amount to be reported
on Form 1040, line 20b or Form 1040A,
Under many income tax treaties, nonresident Resident Aliens line 14b. You are not required to file a Form
8833 for those benefits.
alien teachers or professors who temporarily
visit the United States for the primary purpose Resident aliens may qualify for tax treaty bene-
of teaching at a university or other accredited fits in the situations discussed below. Students, Apprentices, Trainees,
educational institution are not subject to U.S. in- Teachers, Professors, and
come tax on compensation received for teach- U.S. Residency Under Tax Researchers Who Became
ing for the first 2 or 3 years after their arrival in Treaty Tie-Breaker Rule Resident Aliens
the United States. Many treaties also provide
an exemption for engaging in research. In certain circumstances, individuals who are Generally, you must be a nonresident alien stu-
treated as residents of the United States under dent, apprentice, trainee, teacher, professor, or
Generally, the teacher or professor must be
an income tax treaty (after application of the researcher in order to claim a tax treaty exemp-
in the United States primarily to teach, lecture,
so-called tie-breaker rule) will be entitled to tion for remittances from abroad for study and
instruct, or engage in research. A substantial
treaty benefits. (The tie-breaker rule is ex- maintenance in the United States, for scholar-
part of that person's time must be devoted to
plained in chapter 1 under Effect of Tax Trea- ship, fellowship, and research grants, and for
those duties. The normal duties of a teacher or
ties.) If this applies to you, you generally will not wages or other personal service compensation.
professor include not only formal classroom
need to file a Form 8833 for the income for Once you become a resident alien, you gener-
work involving regularly scheduled lectures,
which treaty benefits are claimed. This is be- ally can no longer claim a tax treaty exemption
demonstrations, or other student-participation
cause the income will typically be of a category for this income.
activities, but also the less formal method of
presenting ideas in seminars or other informal for which disclosure on a Form 8833 is waived.
See Reporting Treaty Benefits Claimed. However, if you entered the United States
groups and in joint efforts in the laboratory.
as a nonresident alien, but you are now a resi-
If you entered the United States as a non- In most cases, you also will not need to re- dent alien for U.S. tax purposes, the treaty ex-
resident alien, but are now a resident alien, the port the income on your Form 1040 because emption will continue to apply if the tax treaty's
General General
Country Effective Date 1 Country Effective Date 1
Australia Dec. 1, 1983 Japan Jan. 1, 2005
Protocol Jan. 1, 2004 Kazakhstan Jan. 1, 1996
Austria Jan. 1, 1999 Korea, South Jan. 1, 1980
Bangladesh Jan. 1, 2007 Latvia Jan. 1, 2000
Barbados Jan. 1, 1984 Lithuania Jan. 1, 2000
Protocol Jan. 1, 1994 Luxembourg Jan. 1, 2001
Protocol Jan. 1, 2005 Malta Jan. 1, 2011
Belgium Jan. 1, 2008 Mexico Jan. 1, 1994
Bulgaria Jan. 1, 2009 Protocol Oct. 26,1995
Canada2 Jan. 1, 1985 Protocol Jan. 1, 2004
Protocol Jan. 1, 1996 Morocco Jan. 1, 1981
Protocol Dec.16, 1997 Netherlands Jan. 1, 1994
Protocol Jan. 1, 2009 Protocol Jan. 1, 2005
China, People's Republic of Jan. 1, 1987 New Zealand Jan. 1, 1984
Commonwealth of Independent States3 Jan. 1, 1976 Protocol Jan. 1, 2011
Cyprus Jan. 1, 1986 Norway Jan. 1, 1971
Czech Republic Jan. 1, 1993 Protocol Jan. 1, 1982
Denmark Jan. 1, 2001 Pakistan Jan. 1, 1959
Protocol Jan. 1, 2008 Philippines Jan. 1, 1983
Egypt Jan. 1, 1982 Poland Jan. 1, 1974
Estonia Jan. 1, 2000 Portugal Jan. 1, 1996
Finland Jan. 1, 1991 Romania Jan. 1, 1974
Protocol Jan. 1, 2008 Russia Jan. 1, 1994
France Jan. 1, 1996 Slovak Republic Jan. 1, 1993
Protocol Jan. 1, 2007 Slovenia Jan. 1, 2002
Protocol Jan. 1, 2010 South Africa Jan. 1, 1998
Germany Jan. 1, 1990 Spain Jan. 1, 1991
Protocol Jan. 1, 2008 Sri Lanka Jan. 1, 2004
Greece Jan. 1, 1953 Sweden Jan. 1, 1996
Hungary Jan. 1, 1980 Protocol Jan. 1, 2007
Iceland Jan. 1, 2009 Switzerland Jan. 1, 1998
India Jan. 1, 1991 Thailand Jan. 1, 1998
Indonesia Jan. 1, 1990 Trinidad and Tobago Jan. 1, 1970
Protocol Feb. 1, 1997 Tunisia Jan. 1, 1990
Ireland Jan. 1, 1998 Turkey Jan. 1, 1998
Amending Convention Sep. 1, 2000 Ukraine Jan. 1, 2001
Israel Jan. 1, 1995 United Kingdom Jan. 1, 2004
Italy Jan. 1, 2010 Venezuela Jan. 1, 2000
Jamaica Jan. 1, 1982
1
The general effective date of the treaty is when a treaty enters into force. However, there are often separate effective dates for taxes withheld at source and for all other taxes, and in some instances
taxpayers may be able to apply an existing treaty for an additional year. Check the treaty and/or protocol for effective dates for specific types of income.
2
Information on the treaty can be found in Pub. 597, Information on the United States-Canada Income Tax Treaty.
3
The U.S.-U.S.S.R. income tax treaty applies to the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
ceived by former employees living in the United However, you do not lose the exemption if
States do not qualify for the exemption dis- you file the waiver, and meet either of the fol-