If you have not received any source of income you’ll need to file Form 8843. If you have received income in the last calendar year then you will need to file Form 8843 and most likely Form 1040NR-EZ. For non-citizen and international students there are no pros and cons filing single or married. Since you cannot claim for Earned income credit Child tax credit Child and dependent care credit Student loan interest deduction Elderly and disabled credit All deductions and credits of every kind relating to education, such as the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits, student loan interest deduction and tuition and fees deduction So you can choose either.

s001 · Jan 28, 2018 10:32 AM

@S001 Thanks for the info. Regarding form 8843, I don't think its applicable to me after reading info below from IRS page: Who Must File If you are an alien individual (other than a foreign government-related individual), you must file Form 8843 to explain the basis of your claim that you can exclude days of presence in the United States for purposes of the substantial presence test because you: • Were an exempt individual, or • Were unable to leave the United States because of a medical condition or medical problem Any suggestions?

SRV44 · Jan 28, 2018 10:53 AM

In the U.S. tax system, foreign nationals are considered either 'non-residents for tax purposes' or 'residents for tax purposes'. Your tax residency status depends on your current immigration status and/or how long you've been in the U.S. Determining Tax Residency Status If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are considered a 'non-resident for tax purposes' unless you meet the criteria for one of the following must be physically present in the United States for at least: 31 days during the current year, and 183 days during the 3-year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before that, counting: All the days you were present in the current year, and 1/3 of the days you were present in the first year before the current year, and 1/6 of the days you were present in the second year before the current year. If total equals 183 days or more = Resident for Tax If total equals 182 days or less = Nonresident for Tax you must know the number of days you were physically present in the U.S. over the last 3-4 years. EXCEPTIONS F1/2 students receive 5 “exempt” years. Not exempt from tax, but of counting physical days of presence in the U.S. If you have been in the U.S. for fewer than 5 calendar years (including any previous F-1/2 statuses at any point), then you are considered a 'Non Resident for Tax Purposes. **“Exempt” years are CALENDAR years, not years from date of arrival (e.g. if you arrived 9/23/2017, 2017 would be counted as one, total calendar year and you would have four calendar years remaining).

s001 · Jan 28, 2018 1:28 PM