How to file a federal tax return

For tax filing purposes, most J-1 visa holders are considered Nonresident Aliens.

1. You will need the W-2 form to complete your tax return. Your host organization is
legally required to send you a W-2 form showing all earned income paid to you during
the current calendar year by January 31. Contact your employer(s) if you have not
received form W-2 by that date. W-2 will arrive in your mail box.

2. You need to fill out 1040NR OR the 1040NR -EZ form (NR – Non-Resident, EZ-Easy).
1040NR -EZ is just a simplified 1040NR form. Most J1s can file 1040NR-EZ, and it’s also
the one I had filled.
Here is a link that helps you decide which one to choose:
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Aliens---Which-Form-to-File
 FORM 1040NR-EZ:
-link to form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nre.pdf
-link to instructions: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040nre
 FORM 1040NR:
-link to form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nr.pdf
-link to instructions: http://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040nr/
*As of time of writing, links still point to the forms for 2017 season. :/
*As of time of writing, I believe non-residents are not allowed to file their taxes
electronically, so you need to print the forms and send them by mail
3. How I filled it, step by step:
Part 1

 Make sure your name matches the name on Social Security Card
 Identifying number is your Social Security Number (SSN)
 Enter the address where you live (NOT the US address)

Part 2 - The hard part

*In order to fill this part, go to form’s instructions, you will see that it goes through
each box line by line. I recommend that you follow the instructions, and use my
details just for comparison.

 Line 3: Enter the amount on box 1 of your W-2 form. If you

worked multiple jobs, enter the sum of the figures in box 1 of
each Form W-2
 Line 4,5,6: $0.
 Line 8,9: $0.
 Line 11: This is the total state and local income tax you paid.
These figures can be found on your W-2 form(s). See the
instructions.
  Line 13: Probably $4,050. But, read the instructions form. This
number can change from year to year.
 Line 15: Find your tax amount in the tax table. Find it in the
instructions.
 Line 16: $0.
 Line 18a: Enter the amount written in box 2 of your W-2 form. If
you worked multiple jobs, enter the sum of the figures in box 2 of
each W-2 form.
 Line 18b, 19 and 20: $0.
 Line 22: The amount you are owed. You can compare this number
to the estimate given by online calculators.
 On Line 23e, you should specify the address you want your refund
cheque sent to.
 Line 24: $0.
 Line 25 and 26 I left blank.
 Signature and date fill out once you print the form.

Part 3 – Other information

Page 2 of the form contains a set of ten questions labeled A – J
 C and D: check as “No” on all checkboxes
 E: I just put “Not present in U.S. - No U.S. immigration status”
 F: No
 G, H and I: self explanatory.
 J: 1. I’ve left blank, 2. No 3. No

Submitting your tax return

Your W-2 form comes in three different copies.
 Copy B: For Federal tax returns
 Copy 2: For state/city/local tax returns
 Copy C: To be kept by the individual
-Make sure you include Copy B of all of your W-2 forms (one for each
employer) with your filled out Form 1040NR-EZ.
- Make a copy of your filled out 104NR-EZ before sending it (just in case).

Where to submit
- Address can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/filing/international-
where-to-file-form-1040nr-1040nr-ez-1040pr-and-1040ss-addresses-for-
taxpayers-and-tax-professionals

How long will it take?

The IRS state that the refund should be processed within six weeks of the
date they receive your return. You can track the status of your refund using
https://www.irs.gov/refunds
*For me it was 4 weeks

Good luck!

Šimun Peša
simun.pesa@gmail.com
www.jayone.org