A Complete State-by-State Guide to U.S. Taxes for International Students

A Complete State-by-State Guide to U.S. Taxes for International Students

by J1 Summer Tax Back
📅 January 14, 2025
⏱️ 9 minute read

When you arrive in the U.S. for your J1 experience, you probably imagine beaches, summer jobs, and road trips — not tax forms. But once you receive your first paycheck, reality hits: every state seems to play by its own rules. 🧾

Why did your friend in Texas get a bigger refund than you did in California? Or why did someone in Florida not pay state tax at all? 🤔

Here’s the truth: in the U.S., each state has its own tax system. That means your tax return process (and how much refund you can get) depends entirely on where you lived and worked.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about state taxes for J1 international students — from states with no income tax to those that do, and what to do if you need to file.

🌴 States with No Income Tax

Let’s start with the easy part.

Nine U.S. states do not charge any state income tax. If you lived and worked in one of them, you only have to file your federal tax return — no state form required!

These states are:

  • Alaska

  • Florida

  • Nevada

  • New Hampshire (only taxes investment income)

  • South Dakota

  • Tennessee (only taxes investment income)

  • Texas

  • Washington

  • Wyoming

Even though these states don’t collect individual income tax, they may still apply other types of taxes (like corporate or sales tax).

So, if you worked in one of these states — good news! Your tax life just got a bit simpler. 😎

🧾 States Where You Must File a State Tax Return

If you worked in a state that does collect income tax, you’ll likely need to file a state return in addition to your federal one.

Each state has its own deadlines and tax forms, so there’s no “one-size-fits-all” rule.

For most states, the deadline is April 15, 2025, but some have slightly different dates (like Delaware on April 30, Louisiana on May 15, or Virginia on May 1).

For example:

  • California: File Form 540NR by April 15, 2025.

  • New York: File Form IT-203 by April 15, 2025.

  • Illinois: File IL-1040 with Schedule NR by April 15, 2025.

  • Oklahoma: Deadline June 15, 2025 — file Form 511NR.

  • Virginia: Deadline May 1, 2025 — file Form 763.

Every state is independent, so make sure to check which form applies to your situation.

⏰ What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Missing a state tax deadline might sound minor, but it can lead to penalties, interest, and unnecessary stress later on — especially if you ever plan to return to the U.S.

Even if you only worked for a few weeks, it’s safer to file correctly and keep a record of compliance.

💡 Who Needs to File a State Tax Return?

You generally must file a state tax return if you:

  • Earned income in that state.

  • Had taxes withheld on your paycheck (check your W-2).

  • Were considered a “nonresident” but still worked temporarily in that state.

If you worked in more than one state, you might need to file more than one state tax return.

📘 Final Thoughts

While state taxes might seem confusing at first, understanding them is key to getting your maximum refund and avoiding issues with the IRS or future visa applications.

Remember: your J1 experience doesn’t end when your job does — it ends when your taxes are done right. ✅

So take a deep breath, gather your forms, and make sure you’re covered for both federal and state taxes. Your future self (and your refund) will thank you! 💰