LegacyTax NR FAQ

Who can use LegacyTax NR?

LegacyTax NR was created specifically for international students, scholars, teachers, and researchers in the U.S. on F, J, M, and Q Visas, to make tax prep easy and ensure they are fully compliant with the IRS tax rules.

I'm not a student; can I use LegacyTax NR?

Yes. Suppose you're a temporary visitor to the U.S. on a H1B, H2B, L or B1 working visa. In that case, J1 Exchange visitor or foreign performing artist, athlete, or entertainer on a P or O visa, LegacyTax NR can prepare your U.S. income tax return. However, it would help if you were classified as a non-resident for the entire tax year. If you're unsure, LegacyTax NR can review your circumstances and let you know.

I am classified as dual status. Can I use LegacyTax NR?

A dual-status alien is any individual who is treated as non-resident for part of the year and resident for the remainder of the year. It usually arises in the first or last years of residency. The LegacyTax NR online software does not support dual status; however, we can still help with your tax return. Please contact the LegacyTax NR team via our online chat system for additional information.

I am currently on OPT. Can I still use LegacyTax NR?

Yes. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is not a separate visa status. It is a benefit of the F-1 status, and while engaging in OPT, you are still considered an F-1 student.

How does LegacyTax NR work?

LegacyTax NR is easy to use and works as follows:

• You create an account or log in if you've already created an account.
• You then answer some easy-to-understand questions.
• LegacyTax NR then reviews your details for all applicable allowances and deductions.
• LegacyTax NR finalizes the calculations and prepares your tax return.
• You print your tax return, sign it and mail it to IRS.

How will LegacyTax NR help me?

LegacyTax NR offers a range of services to assist in the preparation of tax returns, including the following:

• Federal tax preparation – 1040NR and 1040NR-EZ
• State tax preparation
• Form 8843
• FICA
• W7 – ITIN processing
• Other non-resident forms and schedules
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What are the benefits of using LegacyTax NR?

• IRS compliance guaranteed
• Federal & State tax return guidance and preparation
• ITIN applications facilitated
• Complete tax relief review
• User-friendly system
• Optimized tax return
• Flexible service
• 24/7 Live Help
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What documents /information might I need to prepare my tax return?

• Passport
• U.S. entry and exit dates for current and all previous visits to the U.S.
• All tax forms you've received (including Forms W-2, 1042-S, and/or 1099, etc.)
• Visa / Immigration Status information, including Form DS-2019 (for J visa holders) or Form I-20 (for F visa holders)
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• If you are using LegacyTax NR for State Tax Return(s) preparation only, you will need a copy of the Federal Tax return you have already prepared

Tips:

• Ensure that you have all payment documents for the tax year you're preparing your return for.
• If you do not have an ITIN, LegacyTax NR can still help you!

I don't have an SSN or ITIN? What should I do?

If you've never received a Social Security Number, you will need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to enable you to file your taxes.

An ITIN must be provided on tax returns, statements, and other tax-related documents; for example, you'll need one:

• When filing your tax returns
• When claiming treaty benefits

LegacyTax NR can organize this for you.

Can I file jointly with my spouse?

If you were married on the last day of the tax year, you do not have the option to file a return jointly with your spouse if both you and your spouse are non-resident aliens. If you file Form 1040NR, your only option is to file a single tax return (married non-resident alien status is also treated as a single).

Can I claim dependents on my tax return?

Dependent is a broad definition of a child or another member of your household. In general, non-residents cannot claim dependents on their tax returns. However, residents of Canada, South Korea, Mexico, and some students or business apprentices from India may claim dependency exemptions for their family members the same way as residents of the U.S. if certain conditions are met. You must use Form 1040NR to claim a dependent; the exemption cannot be taken on form 1040NR-EZ.

When is the tax filing deadline?

The tax filing deadline usually falls on April 15th of the following year for the tax return. If April 15th is a public holiday or a non-working day, it falls on the next workday. If you need to pay an additional tax to the IRS and do not make the payment by the deadline, the IRS will impose late filing penalties and interest on the amount you owe.

I will not be able to send my return on time. What should I do?

If you cannot file your federal income tax return by the due date, you may be able to get an automatic 6-month extension. To apply for the additional time, you must file 'Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return' by the original deadline for filing your tax return.

You should note that Form 4868 is an extended deadline to file your tax return but is not an extension of time to pay any money due. If you owe any tax, you must estimate your tax liability on Form 4868 and pay any amount owing at that time.

What is an Installment Agreement, and does LegacyTax NR provide such an option?

IRS permits people to make monthly payments through an Installment Agreement if they're not financially able to pay their tax liability immediately. You will be required to pay a fee for setting up this agreement. However, it's worth noting that you will reduce or eliminate the amount of penalties and interest you pay and avoid the set-up fee if you pay your tax bill in full when it's due.

The Legacy Tax & Resolution Service does facilitate Installment Agreements. Contact the LegacyTax NR team via our online chat system for additional information about an Installment Agreement.

When I mail my tax return to IRS, how can I check the status of my tax return?

You can check the status of your federal tax refund at any time by using the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the IRS website. You can also call the IRS TeleTax System on (800) 829-4477 or the IRS Refund Hotline on (800) 829-1954. When you call or visit the IRS website, you will need the following information:

• The first social security number is shown on the federal return
• Your filing status (single or married filing separately etc.)
• The exact amount of the refund shown on your federal return ($ amount of the refund)
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Can I e-file my taxes with LegacyTax NR?

Yes! LegacyTax NR is approved by the IRS for Federal E-Filing. This means you can file your federal tax return electronically from the comfort of your own home!

What should I do if I owe money to the tax office?

If you underpaid your taxes, you need to pay the outstanding amount to the relevant tax office before the tax filing deadline. The annual deadline for most people to file their federal income tax return and pay any taxes they owe is April 15^th.

If you end up owing additional taxes with your return, you have various options to pay. You can pay by check, bank transfer, or use your credit or debit card.

You may need to prepare a payment voucher and mail it to the IRS with a check or money order if you choose this payment method. If you choose to pay with a payment voucher, LegacyTax NR will provide the filled-out form for you. You will find detailed information about the selected method in your instructions.

By law, the IRS may assess penalties to taxpayers for failing to file a tax return and failing to pay taxes they owe by the deadline.

Can I avail of a tax treaty?

Depending on your nationality (tax residency immediately before you entered the U.S.) and other conditions, you may be able to claim a tax refund under an international tax treaty. Tax treaties are agreements between the U.S. and other countries that allow you to claim back tax you paid while working abroad.

LegacyTax NR always checks if you're eligible for an international tax treaty when we prepare your U.S. tax return. Your eligibility depends on factors like your nationality (tax residence), length of stay, the purpose of your visit, type of income, and visa.

Should I file a tax return if I had no income?

If you have been present in the U.S. during the tax year on F, J, M, or Q visa status and did not receive any income, you should only file the Form 8843-Statement for Exempt Individuals to explain the basis of your claim that you can exclude days of presence in the U.S. for purposes of the substantial presence test and to meet the obligations of your academic visa. Form 8843 is not an income tax return. Form 8843 is merely an informational statement required by the U.S. government. LegacyTax NR will help you prepare your 8843 form quickly and easily just by answering our straightforward questionnaire!

All you need to do is:

• Create/login to your account
• Fill in some information about your stay in the U.S.
• Finalize the process and review your form
• Print, sign, and post to the tax office

Do I have to file a state tax return?

In the United States, besides federal tax, there are also state taxes and local taxes (in addition to many other types of taxation such as FICA, sales, property, etc.). Whether you need to file a state tax return will depend on the state's tax rules in which you lived and/or worked. LegacyTax NR will prepare your federal tax return (if applicable), and if requested, we will also prepare your state tax return

Nine U.S. states don't impose income tax on income - Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

How long can I access my LegacyTax NR online account for?

You can access your LegacyTax NR account for as long as you like, and if you choose to use our service for future tax years, you can still access the same account.

What should I do if I enter incorrect information on my tax return in LegacyTax NR?

If you submit the wrong information on your tax return in LegacyTax NR, you can go back through the steps, correct the information and submit your tax return again. LegacyTax NR may ask you to pay the changed tax return again.

Please note that you can change any piece of information in your account, such as addresses, name, and other personal data. For example, if you made a mistake in your DoB and you want to correct it, you can do that, but you will be unable to change your name or SSN at the same time as those fields will be locked for editing. However, to protect users' privacy and security, the user is allowed to change just one piece of unique personal information at a time. These are your Name(s), Date of Birth, and Social Security number.

What should I do if I discover a mistake on the tax return I filed with the IRS?

If you submit incorrect information on your tax return to the IRS, you will need to correct this by completing and filing a 1040X – Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. LegacyTax NR can help you complete your Federal amended tax return. Simply create an account or log into your existing one and tick the box next to "I want to correct my tax return I already sent to the IRS" for the relevant tax year. Next, simply click on Edit, and you will be able to proceed with amending your application.

Contact the LegacyTax NR team via our online chat system for additional information about amending your State tax return.

Where can I enter my university access code (discount code)?

Simply enter the code on the 'Review Your Order' page to get your discount. You must have a different access code for every tax year, and each code can only be used once.

LegacyTax NR Individual User Pricing

If the LegacyTax NR software does not support your individual circumstances, your tax return may be prepared offline instead. Please get in touch with us at info@LegacyTax NR.com, and we'll review your case and provide more information on our offline services and prices.

What payment methods are available?

You can simply pay by credit card.

Where can I find my tax return in case I haven't printed or saved it?

If you need to reprint or modify your tax return, simply login to your account and click on the "Download Returns" section on the drop-down menu in the top right corner.

How long will it take to get my refund?

The IRS determines exact timelines on a case-by-case basis. Tax return processing time for paper tax returns (including non-residents 1040NR) is estimated at 4-6 weeks from the moment when the tax return is received within the IRS. Please, allow a further 1-2 weeks for mailing if you requested a check before contacting IRS. Please note that the IRS allows up to 6 months to process non-resident returns.

What if I miss the filing deadline and file late or do not file at all?

Non-residents can apply for their tax refunds even after the tax filing deadline, but a return has to be filed no more than three years after the original deadline for the IRS to issue a refund.

You should not worry about the penalties and fines if you have no tax liability. The IRS will not penalize you if you do not file a return on time.

The deadline for filing your Form 8843 is the same as filing your tax return.

The IRS charges substantial interest and penalties on past-due taxes. If you owe additional tax for the year, you must file a return and pay those taxes on time to avoid late filing and payment interest and penalties. When other taxes are due, the IRS treats each late filer individually and calculates penalties and interest based on the balance due shown on the return or adjusted by the IRS. Once the IRS processes your return, they'll calculate the penalties and interest based on the number of days your return is late and then send you a separate bill. For this reason, LegacyTax NR cannot calculate late filing penalties or interest.

The terms of your visa require that you stay in compliance with all laws of the United States, including the rules relating to income tax filing. If you want to apply for permanent residence in the U.S. later, you will be asked to prove that you have complied with all tax laws.

What should I do if I have forgotten my password?

You can reset your password by clicking the "Forgot your password?" link in the login area. We'll then send you a password reset email to the email address you gave us. Can't see the password reset email we sent you? Check your spam folder in case it's gone there.

Please make sure you use a valid and current email address and the same one you used to register with LegacyTax NR.

I am having software/browser issues

Generally, this could be caused by something in your browser or computer interfering with normal network interaction. The issues that you encounter within your LegacyTax NR account can be solved by:

• I am logging in through a different browser. Some versions of Google Chrome do not comply with the LegacyTax NR software at 100%.
• Clearing your browser cache and cookies - A cookie is a small file stored on your computer when you visit a website and contains information about your previous interactions with that website. The cache file saves parts of websites you have loaded, but just like cookies, it can cause problems if a website has gone through a design change. Sometimes cookies can cause problems with your browser loading certain websites, especially if a website has recently gone through an update of its layout. Note: Clearing your browser cache and cookies may clear information that is saved to websites you visit, such as any usernames or passwords that may be saved and automatically entered each time you visit that site.
• Perform a “hard refresh” in your browser (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+R / Mac: Command+Shift+R)
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How can I give my feedback on LegacyTax NR?

Your opinion of your LegacyTax NR experience is very important to us, and there are several different ways to provide your feedback:

• Email hello@LegacyTax NR.com
• Rate us on the LegacyTax NR website
• Complete our short survey
• Tell us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram
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How can I get help?

The LegacyTax NR team is ready to help! Log into your account to chat live with an agent.

I filed my tax return with my form 1042-S. Should I expect a delay in the processing of my refund?

If you requested a refund of tax withheld on a Form 1042-S by filing a Form 1040NR, IRS might need additional time to process the return. Please allow up to 6 months from the original due date of the 1040NR return (May 17th) or the date you sent your 1040NR, whichever is later, to receive any refund due

I need to file an amended tax return. What should I do now?

If you realize that you made an error on a tax return, you already filed, for example, you filed as a resident, or you have come across new information (for example, you received an additional W-2 or 1042-S), simply file an amended tax return to correct. LegacyTax NR will help you prepare an Amended Tax Return (Form 1040X), along with the updated Form 1040NR. The process is quick and easy! Simply log in to your LegacyTax NR account or register to get started.

Can I E-file my taxes with LegacyTax NR?

Yes. The IRS approves LegacyTax for Federal tax E-Filing, and many non-residents will be able to file their federal tax return without ever having to leave the comfort of their own home!

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