The final weeks of a J-1 program come with a lot to wrap up, and financial and tax loose ends are easy to deprioritize in the rush of departure. A short, complete checklist covering both areas ensures nothing important falls through the cracks once you’ve left. Here’s what to cover.

This article is written for J-1 visa holders who had a W-2 job (not a 1099/contract role) and worked more than 3 months in the U.S. If that’s not you, some of this may not apply.

The direct answer: before you leave, confirm your employer, bank, and any relevant services have a working way to reach you after departure, decide what to do with your U.S. bank account and phone number, and gather your pay stubs and program documentation — your actual tax filing happens later, but this preparation makes it far smoother.

Updating your contact information everywhere it actually matters

Your employer needs a way to send your W-2. Your bank may need updated contact information to avoid account issues. Any service tied to your U.S. phone number for verification purposes needs an alternative before you cancel it. Go through this list deliberately rather than assuming it will sort itself out.

Deciding what to do with your U.S. bank account

Some participants keep their account open, particularly if they expect a tax refund to be deposited there or plan to return for a future season. Others close it and arrange to transfer remaining funds home. There’s no universally correct choice — it depends on your specific plans and whether you expect further U.S.-based transactions.

Handling your U.S. phone number before you cancel it

If any accounts — banking, tax-related, or otherwise — use your U.S. number for verification codes, update them with an alternative method before canceling the number. Losing access to two-factor authentication because a number was canceled prematurely can create real headaches later.

Gathering everything relevant to your eventual tax filing

• All pay stubs received throughout your program
• Your DS-2019 and confirmed program dates
• Any treaty claim paperwork, if applicable
• A list of every state where you actually earned wages

Having a final, specific conversation with your employer before you go

Confirm directly how and when your W-2 will be delivered, and double-check that whatever contact information they have on file is accurate and will still work after you’ve left. This single conversation prevents the most common post-departure tax headache.

What about remaining money you plan to send home

If you’re transferring remaining funds home as part of your departure, compare a couple of transfer options for fees and exchange rates rather than defaulting to whatever’s most convenient in the moment — the difference can be meaningful for a larger transfer.

A note on canceling U.S.-based subscriptions and services

Before you leave, review any recurring subscriptions or services tied to your U.S. presence — a gym membership, a streaming service billed to a U.S. card, or similar. Canceling these before departure avoids ongoing charges that become harder to manage once you’re no longer physically present to resolve them quickly.

Letting your program sponsor know your specific departure plans

Beyond your employer, your program sponsor may also want to know your departure timeline and forwarding contact information, particularly if they play any role in your program’s official close-out process or future communications, including anything related to a future program application down the line.

A simple departure-week checklist, all in one place

Update contact information with your employer, bank, and any verification-dependent services; decide on your bank account and phone number; gather your documents; and have a final, specific conversation with your employer about W-2 delivery.

What happens once you’re actually back home, tax-wise

Your W-2 arrives in late January, and from there you move into your actual filing process — generally Form 1040-NR and, in most cases, Form 8843, based on everything you’ve gathered and organized before leaving.

Getting ready for your eventual filing with everything in order

Whatever your specific question, the fastest way to a real number for your J-1 visa taxes is running your W-2 through the calculator rather than guessing.

This is general information, not personalized tax advice. Your exact situation depends on your visa history and paperwork — use the calculator for a number based on your own details, and consult a qualified tax preparer for anything beyond a standard return.

Key takeaways

• Update contact information with everyone who might need to reach you after departure
• Decide deliberately what to do with your U.S. bank account and phone number
• Gather pay stubs, program documentation, and a list of states you worked in
• Have one final, specific conversation with your employer about W-2 delivery