How Immigrants File Taxes in the United States (Step-by-Step Guide)
The Process That Feels Impossible Until Someone Explains It
Every year, as tax season approaches, many of us face the same moment of anxiety. The deadline is coming. The forms are complicated. The terminology is unfamiliar. And the fear of making a mistake — of owing money, of triggering an audit, of somehow running into legal trouble — makes the whole process feel much harder than it needs to be.
The reality is that for most of us with straightforward situations, filing taxes in the United States is manageable. Once you understand what documents you need, what forms you will use, and what the steps are, it becomes something you can handle with confidence.
This guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step. Every term will be explained. Every step will be clear. By the end, you will know exactly what to do and when to do it.
Before You Begin: Determine Your Tax Status
The first step is understanding where you fall in the IRS’s classification of taxpayers. As covered in an earlier guide, the IRS classifies individuals as either resident aliens or non-resident aliens, and the rules for each are different.
Resident Alien
You are generally a resident alien for tax purposes if you hold a green card, or if you meet the Substantial Presence Test — which considers how many days you have been physically present in the United States during the current year and the two prior years.
If you meet either of these, you are taxed the same way as a U.S. citizen. You report your worldwide income, use the same forms and tax brackets, and are eligible for the same deductions and credits.
Non-Resident Alien
If you do not hold a green card and do not meet the substantial presence test, you are generally a non-resident alien. This applies to many recent arrivals, international students on F-1 visas, and people on short-term work assignments.
Non-resident aliens file a different form — Form 1040-NR — and are taxed only on income from U.S. sources. Different rules around deductions and credits also apply.
Dual-Status Aliens
In the year you arrive in or depart the United States, you may be a non-resident alien for part of the year and a resident alien for the other part. This is called dual-status. These returns are more complex and typically benefit from professional assistance.
If you are uncertain which category applies to you, consult a tax professional before filing.
Step One: Gather Your Documents
Before you can file, collect all the documents that report your income and tax situation for the year. Filing without the right documents leads to errors — and errors lead to delays, rejected returns, or incorrect tax bills.
Identification
- Your Social Security Number or ITIN
- A government-issued photo ID
Income Documents
W-2 Form. If you worked as an employee, your employer is required to send you a W-2 by January 31. It shows your total wages for the year and the total federal and state taxes withheld from your paychecks. If you worked for more than one employer, you will receive a W-2 from each one.
1099 Forms. If you had income outside a traditional employment relationship, it may be reported on a 1099. There are several types:
- 1099-NEC: Freelance, contract, or self-employment income
- 1099-INT: Interest income from bank accounts
- 1099-DIV: Dividend income from investments
- 1099-B: Proceeds from selling investments
- 1099-G: Unemployment compensation or state tax refunds
- SSA-1099: Social Security benefits received
Income not reported on a form. If you received income that did not generate a tax form — cash payments for work, rental income, or income from abroad — you are still required to report it. Keep records of everything.
Records of Deductions (If Applicable)
If you plan to itemize deductions rather than take the standard deduction, you will need documentation of mortgage interest paid, state and local taxes paid, charitable contributions, and large unreimbursed medical expenses.
For most of us — particularly those renting rather than owning — the standard deduction is the simpler and often better choice.
Prior Year Tax Return
If you have filed in the United States before, having a copy of your prior year return is helpful. Some software and preparers ask for your prior year’s adjusted gross income as a verification step.
Step Two: Choose How You Will File
Option 1: Tax Preparation Software
Software guides you through the filing process with a series of questions, then generates and submits your return electronically. Many platforms offer free filing for simple returns.
TurboTax is one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly options. Available in Spanish. It guides you through a step-by-step process. Free for simple returns; paid versions handle more complex situations.
H&R Block is another widely used platform with a similar format. Also offers in-person filing at their offices. Available in Spanish.
FreeTaxUSA handles more complex returns at a lower cost than the major platforms.
IRS Free File — if your income is below approximately $79,000 for 2024, you may be able to file for free through this IRS partnership program at the IRS website.
Important note for non-resident aliens: Most standard tax software is designed for resident returns using Form 1040. If you need to file Form 1040-NR, use software designed specifically for non-resident filers. Sprintax is one platform built for this purpose.
Option 2: Free In-Person Help — VITA
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is IRS-sponsored and provides free tax preparation to people who generally earn $67,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
VITA sites are staffed by IRS-certified volunteers trained to prepare basic returns. Many sites serve immigrant communities and have multilingual staff.
VITA is an excellent option for those of us filing for the first time, who have questions about our specific situation, or who prefer in-person guidance. Find your nearest location at the IRS website or by calling 2-1-1.
Option 3: Professional Tax Preparer
A paid professional — a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), an Enrolled Agent, or a licensed tax preparer — can prepare and file your return for a fee.
This makes the most sense for immigrants with complex situations such as self-employment income, income from multiple countries, dual-status returns, significant investment activity, or ownership of foreign financial accounts.
Fees vary widely. A straightforward return typically costs $150 to $350. Complex returns cost more. Look for someone with experience working with immigrants and international tax situations. An Enrolled Agent is federally licensed by the IRS and specializes in taxes — a strong option for complex cases.
Option 4: Paper Filing
You can complete a paper return and mail it to the IRS. This is the slowest option — paper returns take significantly longer to process and refunds arrive later. Electronic filing is strongly preferable for most people. However, if you have specific documentation that must be mailed or simply prefer paper, this option exists.
Step Three: Complete Your Tax Return
Whether you use software, a professional, or a paper form, the process involves the same core steps.
Report all income. Enter income from every source. If you received a W-2, enter the information exactly as it appears. Enter all 1099 amounts. If you had income not reported on a form, report it anyway. All income must be reported.
Claim your filing status. Your filing status affects your tax bracket, your standard deduction, and your eligibility for various credits.
Single — you are unmarried or legally separated. Married Filing Jointly — you and your spouse file a combined return. Generally the most beneficial status for married couples. Married Filing Separately — sometimes necessary but generally less advantageous. Head of Household — you are unmarried but paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for a qualifying dependent. Provides a larger standard deduction than single filing.
For those of us whose spouses are not yet in the United States or who have dependents abroad, determining the correct filing status can be complex. A tax professional can help.
Claim the standard deduction or itemize. For most of us, the standard deduction is the right choice — simpler and typically larger than our qualifying itemized expenses.
Claim tax credits you are eligible for. Tax credits reduce the amount of tax you owe, dollar for dollar. Some are refundable — meaning if the credit exceeds your tax liability, the excess is paid to you as a refund.
Credits immigrants may be eligible for include:
Child Tax Credit — up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17. Requires the child to have a Social Security Number.
Child and Dependent Care Credit — for qualifying child care or dependent care expenses while you work.
American Opportunity Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit — for qualifying education expenses.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — for lower and moderate-income workers with earned income. Requires a valid SSN. Not available to ITIN filers.
Premium Tax Credit — if you purchased health insurance through the government marketplace and your income qualifies, you may be eligible.
Step Four: Review Before Submitting
Before submitting, review every section carefully.
Confirm your name is spelled correctly and matches your identification documents. Verify your Social Security Number or ITIN — a single digit error can cause significant problems. Make sure all income is reported and all numbers match your W-2 and 1099 forms. Confirm your bank account information if you are expecting a direct deposit refund.
Errors are one of the primary causes of delayed refunds and IRS notices. A careful review takes only a few minutes and can save significant time and stress later.
Step Five: File and Pay Any Taxes Owed
Electronic filing. If filing through software or a professional, your return is submitted digitally. You will receive confirmation within 24 to 48 hours that it was accepted. Keep this confirmation.
If you are owed a refund. Choose direct deposit. Refunds by direct deposit typically arrive within 10 to 21 days of acceptance. Paper checks take longer. Track your refund using the IRS “Where’s My Refund” tool on the IRS website or the IRS2Go mobile app.
If you owe additional tax. Pay by April 15 even if you file for an extension. Payment options include electronic payment through IRS Direct Pay, debit or credit card (fees may apply), check or money order, or a payment plan if you cannot pay in full.
If you cannot pay the full amount, do not simply fail to file. File your return on time and contact the IRS about a payment arrangement. The IRS has programs to help people pay over time. Working with them proactively is always better than ignoring the obligation.
Step Six: Keep Records of Your Filed Return
After filing, keep copies of the following for at least seven years:
- Your complete filed tax return
- All W-2 and 1099 forms
- Receipts or documentation supporting any deductions or credits claimed
- Your confirmation of electronic filing acceptance
- Records of any tax payments made
Tax records serve multiple purposes beyond filing. They document income for loan applications, rental applications, and immigration proceedings. They allow you to verify past information if questions arise later.
What to Do If You Receive an IRS Notice
Receiving a letter from the IRS can feel alarming. But many notices are routine — simple requests for information or minor corrections.
Do not ignore it. Every notice has a deadline for response. Ignoring it will not make it go away and can make the situation worse.
Read it carefully. The notice will explain what the IRS is communicating, what they need from you, and the deadline for responding.
Respond to the specific issue. If the notice asks for documentation, gather it and respond within the timeframe given.
Seek help if needed. If you do not understand the notice or if it involves a significant issue, a tax professional or VITA can help you respond appropriately.
One Completed Return Builds Confidence for the Next
Filing taxes for the first time as an immigrant is the hardest year. The forms are unfamiliar. The process is new. The anxiety is real.
But each year becomes easier. By the second year, you know what documents to expect. You know the process. You know the deadlines. What felt overwhelming becomes routine.
You now have a clear, step-by-step understanding of how to file your taxes in the United States. Gather your documents. Choose your filing method. Report all income. Claim the credits you are entitled to. File on time.
In our final guide in this series, we cover the most common tax mistakes we make as immigrants — and exactly how to avoid them.
