You’ve made it through your au pair year in the United States—caring for kids, managing a household, and building a bank account. Now comes the less glamorous part: taxes. As a J-1 au pair, you received a W-2 form from your host family showing what you earned and what was withheld for taxes. But what exactly do you owe, and how do you file? This guide walks you through every step of the J-1 au pair year-end tax process, from understanding your residency status to calculating your refund and submitting your return.

Do J-1 au pairs have to file a U.S. tax return?

Yes, if you earned income from your host family on a W-2, you must file a U.S. tax return. The form you file depends on your residency status under the IRS Substantial Presence Test—a calculation that counts your days in the U.S. over the past several years. Most au pairs are nonresidents in their first year on a J-1 visa and file Form 1040-NR (the nonresident alien return); after that, your situation becomes more complex and depends on your specific visa history and home country treaty rules.

It depends: residency status, prior time in the U.S., and your home country treaty

The single biggest variable for your J-1 au pair year-end tax guide is whether the IRS sees you as a resident or nonresident alien. J-1 au pairs belong to the “trainee or specialist” category, which means you can exclude your presence in the U.S. from the Substantial Presence Test for only 2 of the past 6 calendar years. Once those 2 years are up, any additional time counts toward the test, and you may become a resident alien even though you are still on a J-1 visa.

This matters because resident aliens file Form 1040 and report worldwide income, while nonresidents file Form 1040-NR and only report U.S.-source income. The distinction also affects FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes: nonresidents are often exempt, but residents must pay unless a tax treaty between your home country and the U.S. protects you.

To find out which form applies to you, check the Substantial Presence Test tool at j1visataxes.com/substantial-presence-test/. It asks for your entry date and any prior time in the U.S., then tells you if you are a resident or nonresident for 2026.

Where au pairs get the year-end filing wrong

1. Assuming you file Form 1040-NR automatically. Many resources and even some competitors default all J-1s to 1040-NR without checking residency status first. If you’ve lived in the U.S. for more than 2 calendar years as a J-1 trainee, you may already be a resident and owe Form 1040 instead. The form you choose directly affects your tax bill, so verify your status before you file.

2. Not catching FICA errors on your W-2. Au pairs are often exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes under their J-1 status. But mistakes happen—your host family or their payroll service may have withheld FICA anyway, even though you shouldn’t have been taxed on it. Check the FICA line items on your W-2 and claim the refund if you are still a nonresident exempt from these taxes.

3. Forgetting state income tax. Even if you owe no federal tax, some states where you worked may require a state return. Rules vary sharply by state—some charge no income tax at all, while others tax based on where you lived or worked. Look up your specific state’s rules before you file, or run your information through the calculator to see what’s owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What form do I file if I’m a first-year J-1 au pair?

If this is your first year on J-1 status, you are almost certainly a nonresident alien under the Substantial Presence Test and file Form 1040-NR. This form is designed for people who did not live in the U.S. for the entire year and only report income earned in the United States. Your host family’s payroll provider or the IRS website can confirm the form, but 1040-NR is the standard starting point for new au pairs.

Can I get a refund if my W-2 shows federal tax withheld?

You may be eligible for a refund if your W-2 shows federal income tax withheld and your total income is below the filing threshold, or if you are exempt from certain taxes. For example, if you are still a nonresident, you may be exempt from self-employment tax, and some tax treaties protect you from FICA withholding. Your exact refund depends on your paystubs and residency status—the calculator gives you a personalized estimate based on your own details.

Do I have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on my au pair income?

Generally, if this is your first J-1 au pair year, you are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. However, this depends on your visa category, prior time in the U.S., and your home country’s tax treaty with the United States. If your W-2 shows FICA was withheld, check whether you should have been exempt, and claim the refund if so. Always verify your exemption status before accepting it as fact.

What do I do if I worked in more than one state?

If your au pair placement moved you across state lines or you worked in multiple states, you may owe tax to each state where you earned income. Some states have no income tax; others use your residency or the location where you worked to decide tax liability. The calculator can help you sort this out, or consult a tax preparer familiar with multi-state nonresident returns.

When is the deadline to file my 2025 tax return?

The deadline to file your 2025 return is typically April 15, 2026, though the exact date may shift if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday. Extensions are available if you need more time. Check the IRS website or the calculator for the confirmed 2026 filing deadline to make sure you file on time and avoid penalties.

This is general information, not personalized tax advice. Your exact situation depends on your visa history, prior time in the U.S., and tax treaty rules. Use the calculator for a number based on your own details, and consult a qualified tax preparer if you have questions beyond a standard return.

Your J-1 au pair year in the U.S. is a major milestone, and your tax return is the final step to closing it out cleanly. Whether you owe a refund, owe tax, or break even, filing correctly protects you from future IRS questions and keeps your visa record clean. Answer a few quick questions in the tax calculator and see your estimated refund or bill in minutes.