Filed tax as an F-1 for 2015 using Turbotax, how can I fix the mistake?

[valence931215]

Hi,

When I filed tax return using Turbotax last year, I was still an F-1 student (started F-1 in 2010) and I did not realize I could not use this website. I succeeded at getting the tax return. Do I need to do anything now to fix the mistake and supplement necessary docs? I have already filed tax return for 2016 this year but I am a permanent resident now. Am I allowed to use Turbotax?

[DanielV01 · Accepted solution]

Yes, you are now able to file resident returns, which means that your return is supported by TurboTax.  This year you have no issues with your tax filing.  But your question deals more with last year.  Since you were on an F-1 visa, you were considered a nonresident for the first five years.  Even though you arrived in 2010, you may begin counting the five years beginning Jan. 1 of 2010, as the following IRS website points out:  https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/alien-residency-examples.  

You will note that Example 1 shows the individual arrived in 2nd half of 2011, but on Jan. 1, 2016 could begin counting time for the substantial presence test and was able to claim taxes as a U.S resident beginning in 2016.  Since you arrived in 2010, you could begin counting your U.S. presence for the substantial presence test on January 1, 2015.  Thus, if you were in the United States for at least 183 days in 2015, you did file correctly as a U.S. Resident.  Since this is the case, you do not need to amend your 2015 return to change the status.