Hi, @vishalc711 , were you able to find an answer to your question from 2020?
Similarly to you, tax year 2020 will be my 6th year as a student (2010 and 2011 as J1, while 2017, 2018 and 2019 as F1), hence, I will exceed the 5-year life time rule for students and trainees. On the other hand, there is an exception to the 5-year rule for students as long as they meet the requirements set by IRS here:
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/the-closer-connection-exception-to-the-subst...
If I have changed status in 2020 from F1 to H-1B on October 1, 2020, can I still file for the exception for the days in the US in 2020 that I was on F1 (January 1 - September 30, 2020), given that I have transitioned away from F1 and I am no longer a student at the end of 2020?
If I can exempt the days on F1 I will not meet the substantial presence test and I can file as a nonresident alien. If I can not exempt the days under F1 as I have changed visas in 2020 and I am no longer a student, I have to file as a resident.
Thanks
