Can F1 visa holders file tax returns using turbo tax?

[LinaJ2018]

When was the first year you entered US with the F-visa ?

[fahim3-14]

August 22, 2014

[LinaJ2018]

See answer below

[LinaJ2018 · Accepted solution]

It depends.  As a F-1 visa holder, you are considered as "exempt" meaning not counting days for five years starting from the date of your first arrival in the United States.  After the five years period, you will start counting days by using the Substantial Presence Test  to see if you qualify to be treated as a US resident for tax purposes.

In your situation, you are considered as a nonresident from 2014-2018 filing a Form 1040NR.  Starting from 01/01/2019, you will start counting your days.  If you meet the Substantial Presence Test in 2019, you will be considered a US resident for tax purposes and file a Form 1040 for your tax year of 2019.

As a nonresident, you cannot use TurboTax to file your taxes. You are advised to use our partner, Sprintax who offers filing solution to our TurboTax customers.  See Visit the TurboTax/Sprintax site.

[AmeliesUncle]

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@priyanshidomadia wrote:

I spoke to a turbo tax specialist on the phone who said I could file my taxes using turbotax even if I am a non-resident alien on F1 status.

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The person on the phone was wrong.  A Nonresident Alien needs to file a Form 1040NR for the US-sourced income, but TurboTax is NOT capable of preparing that form.