How to File Your J-1 Visa Taxes in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you worked in the United States under a J-1 visa during 2025, you’ll need to file your U.S. tax return in 2026 — even if you only worked part-time or for a few months. Filing your taxes correctly is not just about getting your refund; it’s also about keeping your immigration record clean for future visa renewals or permanent residency applications.

Every year, thousands of J-1 visa holders lose part of their refunds or face IRS issues simply because they used the wrong form or didn’t understand their tax residency status. The U.S. tax system for exchange visitors can seem confusing — terms like Form 1040NR, 1040, or 8843 all sound similar but serve very different purposes.

That’s exactly why we built this guide.
Here you’ll learn step-by-step how to file your J-1 visa taxes in 2026, what documents you’ll need (W-2, DS-2019, 1042-S), which tax form applies to your case, and how to calculate your refund instantly using our Free J-1 Visa Tax Calculator.

The Tax Moves Blog

Nov 6, 2025 | J1 VISA, Learning IRS

How to File Your J-1 Visa Taxes in 2026 (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Whether you’re a camp counselor, intern, student, or trainee, this guide will help you file with confidence — and remember:

No Refund? No Fee. That’s how J1 Go Tax works.

Step 1: Understand Your J-1 Visa Tax Status (and Which Form You Should Use)

If you’re in the U.S. under a J-1 visa, you are usually considered a nonresident alien for tax purposes during your first two calendar years.
That means you must file nonresident tax forms, not the regular resident ones like Form 1040.

In short:

Form 1040NR = Nonresident tax return (the one you file).
Form 1040 = Resident tax return (do NOT use this unless you’ve become a resident for tax purposes).

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

Before filing your J-1 visa taxes, you’ll need several important forms:

Document	What it is	Where you get it
Form W-2	Shows how much you earned and how much tax was withheld.	Your employer (you should receive it by January 31, 2026).
Form DS-2019	Confirms your J-1 visa program details.	Your sponsor or exchange organization.
Form 1042-S	Issued only if you received a scholarship, grant, or exempt income.	University or sponsor.
Passport & Visa	Identification documents.	You already have them.

If you’re unsure about your income or which form you’ll receive, check our dedicated guide:
👉 W-2 Form for J-1 Visa Holders Explained

Step 3: Complete Form 8843 (Required for All J-1 Holders)

Even if you had no income, you must still file Form 8843 with the IRS.
It’s a simple declaration stating that you were in the U.S. under a J-1 visa.

You can find our complete instructions here:
👉 How to Fill Out Form 8843 (J-1 Visa Guide)

Step 4: Calculate Your Expected Refund

Before filing, you can estimate how much refund you might receive (or if you owe taxes).
Use the Free J-1 Visa Tax Calculator to check your numbers instantly.

The calculator estimates your:

Federal tax refund or balance due
Tax withheld based on your W-2
Refund eligibility (remember: No refund? No fee.)

It’s fast, free, and designed exclusively for J-1 visa holders working with W-2 income.

Step 5: File Your J-1 Tax Return (Form 1040NR or Form 1040)

Now that you’ve estimated your refund, it’s time to file your U.S. tax return.
The form you’ll use depends on your tax residency status:

If You Are…	File This Form	Notes
Nonresident Alien	Form 1040NR	This is the most common for J-1 holders within their first two calendar years in the U.S.
Resident Alien	Form 1040	Applies if you’ve been in the U.S. long enough to meet the Substantial Presence Test or changed your visa type (e.g., to H-1B or Green Card).

Key sections you’ll complete:

Personal information and visa details
Income (from your W-2 or 1042-S)
Federal income tax withheld
Refund or balance due section
Signature and date

👉 Learn everything you need about these forms here:

Form 1040NR: Complete J-1 Visa Tax Return Guide
Form 1040 vs. 1040NR — What’s the Difference (and Which One Should You Use)?

💡 Tip: Even if you qualify to use Form 1040, make sure your records (DS-2019, visa type, W-2) align correctly — using the wrong form can lead to IRS delays or refund denials.
You can confirm your correct status instantly with our J-1 Tax Calculator.

Step 6: Choose How to File (Online or by Mail)

You have two main options:

File Online (Recommended)

The easiest and fastest way — especially with J1 Go Tax.
Our system automatically prepares your J-1 tax return (Form 1040NR or 1040) using your W-2 and visa information.

✅ No Refund? No Fee.
If you’re not eligible for a refund, you pay nothing.

📬 File by Mail

If you prefer the traditional way:

Attach your Form 1040NR or Form 1040 and Form 8843
Include copies of your W-2 and DS-2019
Send everything to the IRS address listed in your form instructions.

Next Step → Learn how to check your IRS refund status and what to do if your refund is delayed. Coming soon on J1VisaTaxes.com.

Can J-1 Visa Holders File Taxes After April?

Step 7: File Before the IRS Deadline

The IRS deadline for J-1 tax returns is April 15, 2026.
If you miss it, you might face penalties or delays in future visa applications.

Pro tip: file early — many J-1s get their refunds within 2–4 weeks when filing before March.

Step 8: Track Your Refund

After filing, you can check your refund status using the official IRS tool:
👉 Where’s My Refund? (IRS.gov)

Typical J-1 refunds range from $200 to $800, depending on how much was withheld.
If your employer withheld more than necessary, you’ll get it back once the IRS processes your return.

Step 9: Common J-1 Tax Filing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why it matters
Filing Form 1040 instead of 1040NR	Can trigger IRS audits or refund delays.
Forgetting Form 8843	Required for all J-1 holders, even with no income.
Using wrong visa status	Leads to incorrect refund calculations.
Missing W-2 or DS-2019 info	The IRS may reject your return.