U.S. Tax Return
Filing your taxes as a J-1 intern or trainee, step by step.
How do I file a tax return?
As a J-1 visitor you need a special tax return form, not the standard one. We work with our trusted partner Sprintax so your refund application is legally compliant and you get the maximum refund you're owed.
Start your tax return with SprintaxGet your refund in 5 steps
- 1
Sign up and fill in the form
Upload your documents and answer a few simple questions on Sprintax.
https://taxprep.sprintax.com/usainternclub - 2
Sprintax reviews it
They process your information and do the tax calculation for you.
- 3
Your return gets sent
Sprintax e-files or mails your tax return to the tax authorities.
- 4
IRS review
The IRS and any other tax authorities review your return.
- 5
Get your money
You receive your tax refund.
What taxes do J-1 interns and trainees pay?
You pay some of the taxes U.S. citizens pay, but not all of them. Usually 10% to 15% of your salary is held back for federal income tax. Some states and cities add their own income tax, typically another 5% to 8%. Your host company should handle the withholding, but check your first paycheck to make sure it's right.
What you pay
- Federal income tax
- State income tax (if applicable)
- Local or city income tax (if applicable)
What you don't pay
- Social Security and Medicare tax (FICA)
- Federal unemployment tax (FUTA)
What is a tax return?
Every paycheck has a deduction to cover what you're expected to owe the state and federal government. That estimate isn't always exact. Your tax return is where you look at what you actually earned and paid, and find out whether you overpaid, paid the right amount, or underpaid. If you overpaid, you get money back.