H1B to F1 tax return

[baburajendran]

Hi,

I am a resident alien and I have used TurboTax in the past to file returns when my visa status was H1B. My status has changed to F1 since 2022. Can I still use TurboTax to file returns being a resident alien on F1 status ? My University advises to use another product called SprintTax. Kindly clarify if I should use only SprintTax.

Thanks,

Babu

[Loretta P]

Hello @baburajendran 

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.  As your visa status changed in 2022, that would start your 5 year period.  You would need to use SprinTax to file a Non-Resident return.  

Here is a link to SprinTax.