Every J-1 visa holder in the US is required by law to file tax documents before the tax deadline (April 15, 2026). If you did not earn an income while in the US, you should file Form 8843.
There are various providers who have helped previous participants, of which we recommend. IRS regulation refers to J-1 participants as ‘non-resident aliens’, of which the following providers specialize in (unlike TurboTax, who focus on US residents). They include:
With each, it’s easy to prepare fully compliant tax documents. It’s essential to file a return under the correct category of J visa that you are under as per box 4 of your DS-2019, which all providers can assist with.
Why should I use Sprintax?
- A secure online service with live chat support
- IRS compliant
- Easy to prepare all necessary tax documents, including federal and state tax returns and Form 8843
- Chosen partner of TurboTax
- Over 200,000 non-residents use Sprintax to prepare their tax forms each year
By entering discount code 22SE500F10, you can claim a $10 Sprintax discount.
Why should I use RT Tax?
- An affordable option to file your US tax return
- IRS compliant
- 20+ years of experience
- Easy to prepare all necessary tax documents, including federal and state tax returns and Form 8843
Why should I use Mag Tax?
- An affordable option to file your tax return
- IRS compliant
- Easy to prepare all necessary tax documents
You can also complete your US tax return by yourself. However, this will include you researching the process individually, as Resort Leaders cannot provide any tax advice.
You can find more information in our US Taxation help section.