Are you on the J-visa for both 2018 and 2019? If you are on J-visa for both 2018 and 2019, you are considered as a nonresident and should file Form 1040-NR. The First year choice is not relevant.
From January 1st, 2020, you would start counting your days. If you meet the 183 days for SPT Substantial Presence Test, you will be considered as a US resident for tax purposes and will file a Form 1040 for the tax year 2020.
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