5 Top Tax Tips for Last-Minute Filers
📅 November 20, 2024
⏱️ 4-minute read
😅 Left your U.S. taxes to the last minute? Don’t panic!
If you’re an international student, scholar, or J-1 participant, you must file a U.S. tax return as a condition of your visa. Missing the deadline can lead to penalties, interest, and visa complications.
But don’t stress — even if you’ve waited until the final hour, we’ve got your back! 🙌
Here are our 5 essential tax tips for last-minute filers.
🧾 1️⃣ Get your documents ready
Organization is everything — especially when you’re short on time! 🕐
Before you start, confirm your tax residency status (nonresident vs. resident) and gather your documents. You’ll need:
📘 Your passport
📄 Form DS-2019 (J visa) or Form I-20 (F visa)
🔢 SSN or ITIN
💰 Income forms: W-2, 1042-S, and/or 1099
You’ll file:
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Federal tax return → Form 1040-NR
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Form 8843 → required for ALL J/F visa holders, even if you had no income
💡 Note: Some states don’t have income tax, like Florida, Texas, Nevada, Washington, Alaska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
If you live there, you only need to file federal, not state.
✅ Form 1040-NR: U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return
✅ Form 8843: Proves your exempt visa status under the Substantial Presence Test
💻 2️⃣ Use a tax preparer or online software
Filing taxes alone can feel like decoding hieroglyphics 🧩 — but it doesn’t have to!
A trusted tax preparer or software can save you hours and help you claim all eligible deductions, credits, and treaty benefits.
✨ J1 Summer Tax Back is the only tax prep software built exclusively for nonresidents.
With J1 Summer Tax Back, you can:
✅ Prepare Federal & State tax returns
✅ E-file your 1040-NR (if eligible)
✅ Chat 24/7 with qualified tax experts
✅ Determine your residency status
✅ Get your maximum refund — fast!
💡 Pro tip: The sooner you file, the sooner you’ll get your refund!
💸 3️⃣ File even if you don’t have the money
Think you can’t file because you owe taxes? Think again! 🙅♂️
You can file now and pay later through an IRS installment plan.
The IRS lets you pay your balance monthly (for up to 72 months) if you owe less than $50,000.
👉 Apply using Form 9465 – Installment Agreement Request.
Fast facts:
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🗓️ Approval usually takes about 30 days
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💳 No specific minimum monthly payment — depends on your balance
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❌ You can’t have two active payment plans
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💬 Ask your local CPA or tax pro to check if you qualify
💡 Even if you can’t pay immediately, filing on time avoids larger penalties.
🕐 4️⃣ File for an extension
Need more time? No worries — request an automatic extension!
Use Form 4868 – Application for Extension to File or submit it online before April 15, 2025.
✅ This gives you until October 15, 2025 to file your tax return.
🚨 But remember: It extends your filing deadline, not your payment deadline.
💡 Tip: Even if you file an extension, pay as much as you can upfront to reduce penalties and interest.
🧾 5️⃣ Final check before sending ✉️
Before you hit “Submit” or mail your return, double-check:
✔️ Your SSN/ITIN
✔️ That you’ve signed the return
✔️ That you’re mailing to the correct address (based on whether you’re including a payment)
Still unsure? Check out J1 Summer Tax Back’s Knowledge Base for FAQs from other nonresidents — we’ve seen it all! 😅
🎯 Bonus tip: Don’t delay next year!
Start early next season with all your forms in one place — and let J1 Summer Tax Back do the heavy lifting for you.
🧮 With J1 Summer Tax Back, you can:
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Determine your tax residency
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Claim treaty exemptions
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File your federal & state tax returns
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Maximize your refund
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E-file easily and securely
👉 File your 1040-NR now and cross “taxes” off your to-do list! ✅