J-1 Visa Taxes in Orlando: What You Should Know

Orlando, Florida, hosts thousands of J-1 exchange visitors with Form W-2 income only, especially through programs connected to theme parks, hospitality, tourism, hotels, restaurants, retail, and cultural exchange organizations across Central Florida.

Most employers in Orlando pay J-1 workers through standard W-2 payroll systems, meaning all wages are reported directly to the IRS under the worker’s Social Security Number (SSN). Because of this, the IRS automatically compares any filed tax return with its internal wage records, particularly the Wage & Income Transcript.

For J-1 participants classified as nonresident aliens, the correct federal return is Form 1040NR. However, J-1 holders who meet the Substantial Presence Test while living and working in the U.S. must file Form 1040 under resident tax rules.

Even seasonal or short-term jobs in Orlando are fully tracked by the IRS. Any mismatch between your W-2, IRS transcripts, and the filed Form 1040NR or Form 1040 can delay or freeze your refund.

The safest way to start is by reviewing your IRS Online Account 👉 https://www.irs.gov/ and understanding how Form 1040NR, Form 1040, and the mandatory Form 8843 work together.

👉 This content applies exclusively to J-1 visa holders in Orlando with Form W-2 only.

The Tax Moves Blog

Jan 9, 2026 | Learning IRS

Why Refunds Get Delayed in Orlando

Many J-1 workers in Florida believe:

“My employer withheld taxes, so my refund is automatic.”

For the IRS, this is not true.

Common refund delay causes in Orlando include:

Employer W-2 data not matching IRS records
Filing without reviewing IRS transcripts first
Name mismatches between passport and SSN
Filing Form 1040 instead of 1040NR, or vice versa
Payroll errors from large hospitality and theme park employers

Because many Orlando employers rely on large payroll providers, mismatches are common for J-1 W-2 workers.

The Documents Few J-1 Holders Review

IRS Online Account – The Real Starting Line in Orlando

Before filing taxes from Orlando using Form 1040NR or Form 1040, every J-1 participant should confirm what income the IRS already has under their SSN.

Access only at 👉 https://www.irs.gov/

There you verify:

Orlando employers reported your wages
Legal name matches SSN records
Prior federal filings align with current payroll data

Wage & Income Transcript – Core for IRS Matching

This transcript shows exactly what Orlando employers sent to the IRS.
If your Form 1040NR or Form 1040 does not match this transcript, the IRS may delay your refund even after you leave Florida.

Form 1040NR in Orlando vs Form 1040 Resident in the U.S.

Most J-1 participants in Orlando remain nonresident aliens and must file Form 1040NR.

Those who meet the Substantial Presence Test become resident aliens for tax purposes and must file Form 1040, reporting income under resident rules.

Understanding Form 1040 vs Form 1040NR is essential to avoid IRS classification errors.

Passport vs SSN Name Matching in Orlando

In Orlando, many Spanish-speaking J-1 workers appear on payroll systems with:

Two last names
Abbreviated surnames
Hyphenated names

Any mismatch between passport, SSN, W-2, and Form 1040NR or Form 1040 can trigger an identity review before refund release.

Form W-2 Accuracy From Orlando Employers

Employers submit W-2 data before individual returns are processed.
Until corrected, the IRS prioritizes employer records over the filed return.

Filed Taxes in the U.S. Before?

When preparing taxes in Orlando—or anywhere in the U.S.—the IRS determines whether a J-1 visa holder is a nonresident alien or a resident alien for tax purposes based on the Substantial Presence Test.

Nonresident aliens generally file Form 1040NR for W-2 income.
Resident aliens for tax purposes must file Form 1040 under resident rules.

Understanding both forms together helps prevent refund delays caused by IRS mismatches.