Internal Revenue Service United States Department of the Treasury
Level Basic Advanced Military International

Completing Form 8843

Summary

Topic Summary

Foreign scholars or students and their nonresident spouse/dependents (including young children) must complete Form 8843, even if they had no income.

Form 8843 asks for information on:

  • Why the student or scholar is in this country
  • The student's educational institution

Generally:

  • Students complete Parts I and III of Form 8843
  • Scholars complete Parts I and II of Form 8843
  • Filers who complete Parts IV and V should be referred to a professional tax preparer

The Form 8843 can be electronically filed with the Form 1040-NR. For those not required to file a Form 1040-NR, a paper Form 8843 must be mailed to the Internal Revenue Service Center in Austin, TX by the due date for the Form 1040-NR.