Nonresident vs. Resident for Tax Purposes (2024)

Why is Tax Residency Important?

Your tax residency (whether you are a nonresident alien or a resident alien for tax purposes) determines how you are taxed and which tax forms you need to fill out. You can find out more about tax residency on the IRS "Introduction to Residency Under U.S. Tax Law" page and in IRS Publication 519 (available on the IRS website).

Your Tax Residency Status

In general, students in F or Jstatus are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay in the U.S. Scholars in J status are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first two calendar years of their stay. Please note that this is a general guideline only. If you want to accurately determine your tax residency status, please see the "Resources to Determine Your Tax Filing Status" section below.

Tax residency status can be reclassified after a period of time. It's important to know your tax filing status so you can complete the correct tax forms.

What does "Resident" mean?

Most F and J students and scholars are nonresident aliens for tax purposes; however, a few are considered "residents" or "resident aliens." Please note that "resident for tax purposes" is only a tax filing status. It does not mean that you are a resident by other definitions.Being a "resident" for tax purposes is NOT the same as being a resident for tuition purposes or a U.S. permanent resident (green hard holder).

Resources to Determine Your Tax Residency Status

You can quickly find out your residency by completing a few questions onGLACIER Tax Prep (GTP). The GLACIER Tax Prep program will ask you a series of questions to determine your residency status for federal tax filing purposes. IfGLACIER Tax Prep determines that you are a nonresident alien for tax purposes, you can proceed to use GLACIER Tax Prep to complete the federal (not state) tax forms. If you qualify as a resident alien for tax purposes, you cannot use the tax preparation software in GLACIER Tax Prep. Resident aliens for tax purposes file taxes in the same manner as U.S. citizens and residents.You can find a list of services and resources availableto resident aliens at the bottom left of our main tax page. Generally, tax treaties do not apply to individuals who qualify as resident aliens for tax purposes, but there are exceptions.

Another resource to determine tax residency is theInternal Revenue Service(IRS). See the links below:

F-1 and J-1 Students

J-1 Scholars

Alien Residency Examples

Nonresident vs. Resident for Tax Purposes (2024)

FAQs

Nonresident vs. Resident for Tax Purposes? ›

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are considered a nonresident of the United States for U.S. tax purposes unless you meet one of two tests. You are a resident of the United States for tax purposes if you meet either the green card test or the substantial presence test for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31).

What is a resident vs non resident for tax purposes? ›

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are considered a 'non-resident for tax purposes' unless you meet the criteria for one of the following tests: The “Green Card” Test You are a 'resident for tax purposes' if you were a legal permanent resident of the United States any time during the past calendar year.

Who is resident and nonresident? ›

Individuals are deemed to be residents of India under Section 6(1) of the Income Tax Act if they meet the following conditions: If he/she stays in India for 182 days or more in a fiscal year, or if he/she stays in India for 60 days or more in a fiscal year, and if he/she stays in India for 365 days or more in the four ...

What happens if a non-resident file taxes as a resident? ›

If a nonresident files as a resident they can claim benefits and receive refunds that they're not entitled to. Incorrect filing breaks the terms and conditions of a nonresident visa, this can lead to fines and penalties and you may also jeopardize your future visa or green card applications.

Do non residents get taxed more? ›

Filing Requirements for Nonresident Aliens

It is taxed for a nonresident at the same graduated rates as for a U.S. person.

How do I know if I am a resident for tax purposes? ›

California Residency for Tax Purposes

An individual who comes to California for a purpose which will extend over a long or indefinite period will be considered a resident. An individual who comes to California to perform a service for a short duration will be considered a nonresident.

Can you be a resident of two states? ›

You can be a resident of two states at the same time, usually by maintaining a domicile in one state and spending 183 days or more in another. It is not advisable, as you will be liable to file income taxes in both states, rather than in only one.

Can I file 1040 as a non resident? ›

You must file Form 1040-NR, U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return only if you have income that is subject to tax, such as wages, tips, scholarship and fellowship grants, dividends, etc. Refer to Foreign Students and Scholars for more information.

What happens if I file 1040 instead of 1040NR? ›

Filing the wrong form can lead to complications when applying for a future US visa or for a Green Card. There may also be a fine or penalty for filing a 1040 instead of a 1040NR. If you file the wrong form, you should amend your tax return so it does not lead to problems with the IRS later in the year.

Do non residents get tax deductions? ›

Non-resident taxes

When you prepare your U.S. tax return, you'll use Form 1040NR. Regardless of the form you use, you will only report amounts that are considered US-source income. Just like resident aliens and U.S. citizens, there are deductions and credits you can claim to reduce your taxable income.

Do non-resident US citizens pay taxes? ›

Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return? Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien living outside the United States, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. However, you may qualify for certain foreign earned income exclusions and/or foreign income tax credits.

What percentage of taxes are withheld from non residents? ›

Nonresident income types

Your payer must withhold 7% from your CA source income that exceeds $1,500 in a calendar year.

What is the difference between resident and non resident files? ›

A file is resident if it is the primary copy of the file (as opposed to a backup copy) and it is stored on disk, regardless of whether the disk is online. A file is nonresident if it is stored only on a backup tape or if the file is a backup copy that is stored on another disk family.

What is an example of a resident? ›

Doctors advised residents to stay at home with the windows closed. Two people resident at the address were spoken to. You will normally be resident in the country where you live and work. Now residents of the island are hoping that there might be more frequent services.

Can a U.S. citizen be a resident of no state? ›

You can own multiple homes in different states, but you can only be a resident of one state, that is where you will vote and pay taxes.

What is the difference between resident and non-resident in college? ›

A “resident” is a student who has residence in the state for more than one year before the initiation of a semester or term (EC 68017), based on the “Residence Determination Date” (RDD) which is the day immediately preceding the opening of instruction applies to U.S. citizen, permanent residents, and persons holding ...

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