J-1 Visa Taxes in California – Everything You Need to Know (2026 Guide)
Do J-1 Visa Holders Pay Taxes in California?
Yes.
If you worked in California under a J-1 visa, you pay federal taxes to the IRS and possibly state taxes to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).
California does not have tax treaties with most countries, meaning that even if your country has a federal tax treaty (like Spain, France, or Colombia), you still owe California state tax.
You’ll typically see 5–9.3% withheld from your paycheck for state income tax.
🧩 Related resources:
The Tax Moves Blog
If you worked in California under a J-1 visa, you must file both federal and state tax returns. Many J-1 holders in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco pay taxes without knowing they may be eligible for a refund.
At J1 Go Tax, we specialize only in J-1 visa taxes for workers with W-2 forms — and our rule is simple: No Refund = No Fee.
Federal vs. California State Taxes
| Type | Authority | Form | Applies to J-1? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | IRS | Form 1040NR + Form 8843 | ✅ Yes |
| State (CA) | FTB | Form 540NR | ✅ If worked in CA |
Your W-2 will show both federal and California state withholding.
Federal taxes are filed with the IRS, while the state return goes to the California FTB.
🧩 Also read:
How to File J-1 Visa Taxes in California
Collect your W-2 form from your employer.
Find your DS-2019 document.
Estimate your refund using the J1 Visa Tax Calculator.
File your federal taxes with Form 1040NR and Form 8843.
File your California state taxes using Form 540NR.
Receive your refund – both federal and state, if eligible.
🧩 Learn more:
🌴 Example: J-1 Worker in California
Let’s take a Work & Travel student in Santa Monica earning $4,000.
| Income | Federal Withholding | CA Withholding |
|---|---|---|
| $4,000 | $400 (10%) | $200 (5%) |
With J1 Go Tax, you can file both returns and recover your federal and California state refunds in a single process.
🧩 Reference: J1 Visa Tax Return Example (Form 1040NR)
Tax Exemptions and Treaties
Some J-1 visa holders qualify for federal tax exemption (up to 2 years) under IRS treaties.
However, this does not apply to California state taxes — you still must file Form 540NR.
👉 Official source: IRS – Taxation of Alien Individuals (J-1 Section)
🧩 Learn more:
⏰ Deadlines and Penalties
-
Federal Deadline: April 15, 2026 (for 2025 taxes)
-
California State Deadline: same date (filed via FTB)
If you fail to file, you may face penalties up to 25% of unpaid tax and lose your chance at a refund.
🧩 Related: Can I File J1 Taxes After April?
⚔️ Others vs J1 Go Tax – California Comparison
| Feature | Others | J1 Go Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Multiple visa types | 🟩 Only J-1 |
| Price | $60–$120 per return | 🟩 No Refund = No Fee |
| Supports CA Form 540NR | Yes | 🟩 Optimized |
| Real Refund Tracking | ❌ | 🟩 Yes (IRS + FTB) |
🧩 Also read:
J-1 Visa Taxes in California
Do I have to file state taxes in California?
Yes, if you earned any money while physically in California.
Can I get my California tax refund from abroad?
Yes — you can file online and receive your refund in your bank account.
Does the 2-year federal exemption apply to California?
No. California state taxes are separate from federal treaties.
Can I still file if I missed the deadline?
Yes — learn how in Can J1 Visa File Taxes After April?
How J1 Go Tax Helps You File in California
We handle everything — both federal (IRS) and California (FTB) returns for J-1 visa holders with W-2 forms.
Our model is simple: No Refund = No Fee.
Fast, secure, and fully online.
👉 Try our J1 Visa Tax Calculator now to estimate your refund.
🔗 Related Resources
You may also like
J-1 Visa Taxes in California – Complete 2026 Guide
How to Calculate Your J-1 Tax Refund Before Filing (2026 Edition)If you’re a J-1 visa holder getting ready for the 2026 tax season, one question probably comes first: “How much money will I get back?” The good news? You can estimate your J-1 tax refund before filing—and it’s easier than…
Can J-1 Visa Holders File Taxes After April?
Can J-1 Visa Holders File Taxes After April? (The IRS Says Yes — Here’s the Truth)If you’re on a J-1 visa and missed the April 15 tax deadline, take a breath — you didn’t lose your refund, and you can still file.Every tax season, thousands of J-1 workers, students, and…
J-1 Visa Tax Return Example: How to Fill Out Form 1040NR
J-1 Visa Tax Return Example: How to Fill Out Form 1040NR (and When You Can Use Form 1040)Understanding J-1 Visa Taxes the Right Way If you are in the United States on a J-1 visa, you are required to file a U.S. federal tax return every year, even if you…
Top 5 Tax Treaties That Benefit J-1 Visa Holders
Top 5 U.S. Tax Treaties That Benefit J-1 Visa HoldersOne of the most powerful tools available to J-1 visa holders to reduce U.S. tax liability is a bilateral tax treaty. The U.S. has treaties with over 60 countries that may allow exemption or a reduced rate on scholarship income, wages,…
Top 3 Reasons Your J-1 Tax Refund Is Delayed
3 Reasons Your J-1 Tax Refund Is DelayedWaiting for your J-1 visa tax refund can feel like forever — especially when you\'re depending on that refund to cover expenses. Even after you file correctly, delays are common. But not all reasons are mysterious. In many cases, they stem from avoidable…
Top Documents You Need Before Filing J-1 Visa Taxes
Top Documents You Need Before Filing J-1 Visa TaxesIf you are on a J-1 visa in the United States, filing your U.S. tax return correctly is not just about submitting a form — it’s about understanding which documents you actually need. Many J-1 visa holders lose refunds or face IRS…
Top 3 Mistakes J-1 Visa Holders Make on Their Tax Returns (That Trigger IRS Notices)
Top 3 Mistakes J-1 Visa Holders Make on Their Tax Returns (That Trigger IRS Notices)Filing your U.S. tax return as a J-1 visa holder can be tricky — between treaties, nonresident status, scholarship income, FICA exemptions, and multiple forms, it\'s easy to make a misstep. But the biggest risk isn’t…
Top 5 IRS Notices J-1 Visa Holders Receive (And What to Do)
Top 5 IRS Notices J-1 Visa Holders Receive (And What to Do)As a J-1 visa holder navigating U.S. tax obligations, you might assume that once you file your taxes (using Form 1040NR, Form 8843, or even Form 1040 if you qualify) everything is done. But the IRS doesn’t always agree.…
Why IRS Transcripts Are Essential Before Filing J-1 Visa Taxes
Why IRS Transcripts Are Essential Before Filing J-1 Visa TaxesDon’t file “blind”. The transcript is your reality check When you\'re a J-1 visa holder and it’s tax season, the common assumption is: “I got my W-2, so I’ll just file my return.” But that approach carries risk. The IRS doesn’t…
Do J-1 Visa Holders Pay State Taxes? A State-by-State overview
Do J-1 Visa Holders Pay State Taxes?Yes. J-1 visa holders generally must pay federal and state income tax on U.S.-source income. State rules differ: some tax any income earned in the state (nonresident sourcing), some tax residents on worldwide income, and a few states have no personal income tax at…