Yes - if you have an overpayment on your return, the IRS can mail a refund check to your foreign address, it does not make direct deposits into foreign bank accounts. The check from the IRS will be drawn from the U.S. Treasury, so you will need to ensure that your bank will accept a check from the U.S. Treasury, denominated in U.S. Dollars.
However, please note: J-1 visa holders who substantially comply with the requirements of that visa, and who do not exceed the duration of their specific Visitor Exchange Program, are exempt from the Substantial Presence Test used to determine eligibility for being a resident alien for U.S. income tax purposes: this means that you are considered a nonresident alien.
As a nonresident alien you will need to file a Form 1040NR to report any U.S.-source income you have. TurboTax does not support Form 1040NR, so you will not be able to use TurboTax for your specific tax situation.
You may want to check out Sprintax, who are specifically geared towards international student nonresident aliens with 1040NR filing requirements.
For more information please see IRS Publication 519, US Tax Guide for Aliens:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf
so you can send my tax to my international address then? okay cool. how long does it take?
I’m also a J1 before. Is there a payment if I choose to send a paper check in the Philippines?
Yes, your check can be mailed internationally by the IRS. However, you cannot use TurboTax software as it is only for US citizens and US residents. If you were on a J1 visa, you need to file a nonresident return.
We have a partnership with Sprintax. They can help you file a nonresident return.
Hi how long did you wait before receiving your return from filing it? thanks.
The IRS states that they issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days from the date the return was accepted by the IRS. This is in a normal year and is a target only--not a guarantee.
Then it depends on the U.S. and Filipino postal services to get the check to you.
You can check the status of your refund by going to the IRS Refunds page. You can click on the Check My Refund Status link or download the IRS2Go app for your mobile device. Wait at least 24 hours after your return has been accepted.
@teanne