Friendly reminder: If you still want to keep playing the points-and-miles game, especially with AMEX, filing taxes is extremely important. If you do not have a tax return on file, getting hit with an FR can easily end badly. Disclaimer: this article does not constitute tax advice.

Before We Begin

In 2020 (filed in 2021), I did not file taxes [because I did not file taxes that time, AMEX FR shut down 5 of my accounts; only one account survived]. In 2022, the author found that TaxAct could still help you file, but you needed to pay an extra $3 processing fee. However, the E-file window had already closed, so you could complete the return in TaxAct, print it out, sign it electronically, and then ask a roommate or friend in the U.S. to mail it to the IRS for you.

In fact, if you forgot to file taxes, you can also complete it immediately through TaxAct, mail it to the IRS as soon as possible, and then ask the AMEX FR specialist for an extension. That gives you a chance to fix the situation successfully (to be covered in another article). AMEX FR really only cares whether you filed taxes. As for whether you had income, or how much income you had, the system does not seem to care much. My personal guess is that even if you had only $1 of income, as long as you filed, you could pass FR; but if you had 1m in income and did not file 1040, you still would not get past 4506-C.

[Updated 2023.4] As of 04/18, if you still have not filed this year, hurry up. If you use AMEX credit cards, you should definitely file taxes (in theory, even if you have no income and no tax forms, you should still file), so that you can deal with AMEX FR (and avoid getting your entire family of accounts shut down). I electronically filed for every family member with an ITIN who had tax forms. Also, here are a few notes for NRA tax filing:

  • If you did not receive any tax forms at all this year and had no income whatsoever, you cannot E-file. If you want to file with 0 income, you need to mail a paper return instead. (To qualify for e-filing, your tax return must have at least one of the following included on the return: Taxable Income, Adjustments to Income, Tax Liability, Credits, Other Taxes, or Tax Payments.)
  • If you are a "cloud resident," you can enter your residence address in your home country, which means you will not need to pay state tax. If your address is in a state with no income tax, then it does not matter. That said, I do not really recommend intentionally using a non-U.S. address.
  • If you only applied for your ITIN last year, then before E-file, your prior-year AGI cannot be 0. Use the AGI that your CAA used on your 1040-V (the AGI amount from 1040-NR 2021, line 11). If you cannot find it, ask your application agent or tax attorney.
  • If you did not file taxes last year, for example because you simply forgot, enter 0 for AGI.
  • If you no longer have any 1042-S or W-2 income in the U.S., then under Federal—Basic Info—Income Exempt from Tax Under Treaty, Country, you must select none selected. Otherwise, the system will instantly reject your submission at the end.
  • If you received 1099-MISC, 1099-int, or 1099-B, the software will prompt you to choose 8840 or 8843 to explain your residency/business-status situation. "Cloud residents" should not fill out 8840. If you do, the IRS will review it. First, it requires a lot of extra information and will not be approved instantly; second, there is some chance of rejection. Just use 8843 instead (you can skip the 8840 page). In most cases, approval comes within a few minutes.

[Updated 2023.1] Recently, many people have been asking about how NRAs should file taxes after returning to their home country. I highly recommend TaxAct. It is one of the few programs that supports NRA electronic filing (e-file). You can use either the app or the website (the website is recommended). You do not need to mail a paper tax return anymore (however, it does not support dual-status NRA/RA filing). If you combine it with an AMEX offer for 5x MR, you can save quite a bit as well. If you are an NRA in the U.S. and do not want to mail documents, this is also worth considering. There are other tax software options for NRA filing, but do not use Turbo Tax (it only supports free filing for RA, and using it by mistake can cause errors in your IRS records).

Through our link: TaxAct first-order 20% off registration link, the Deluxe version costs only 24.95 to file (if you have stocks, you need the Premier version for $34.95), which is a very good deal.

[The original article appears below, updated for this year]

First, a reminder: this year’s tax deadline (filing 2022 taxes in 2023) is April 15. If you still have not filed, do not miss it.

TaxAct E-Filing Tool

TaxAct is a classic tax-prep software option that supports E-File for both RA and NRA. It can even be said to be the only tax software that supports E-file for NRA users (maybe not literally the only one, but TaxAct is indeed very useful). It also has the following advantages:

  • Supports both federal and state tax filing.
  • Supports handling the U.S.-China Tax Treaty ($5,000).
  • Offers a mobile app for filing taxes (TaxAct Express), though I still recommend using a computer for convenience.

Using TaxAct as an NRA (with E-file)

Previously, quite a few NRA international students mistakenly used Turbo Tax to E-file (Turbo Tax does not allow NRA users to E-file). As a result, the IRS mistakenly treated them as RA and incorrectly sent them the $1,200 stimulus payment. If that money is not returned, there may be future immigration-status risks. For more information on this, see: U.S. stimulus payment: the emergency $1,200 payment during COVID-19 — how can I get it?

But with TaxAct, you do not have this concern. It fully supports online electronic filing for NRA users. You do not need to mail paper returns to the IRS. You simply enter the relevant information online, and it will help you submit your electronic return automatically (1040-NR and 1040-NREZ). This is especially useful in situations such as:

  • The NRA has already returned home, or became an NRA again after returning home, but still has tax matters to handle;
  • The NRA is in the U.S., is not very familiar with tax filing, or simply wants the convenience of software-assisted electronic filing.

NRA E-file is paid, and at first glance it can seem fairly expensive. But by combining a refer link with the current AMEX offer (and potentially TopCashback), you can minimize this cost as much as possible.

Using TaxAct as an RA

Many U.S. tax software providers offer free electronic filing for RA users. That includes TaxAct as well. If an RA meets the following conditions, they can qualify for TaxAct federal Free File, HT: reader JZ:

Receive a free Federal return if:

Your Adjusted Gross Income is $59,000 or less AND your age is 56 or younger, OR
You are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, OR
Free for Active Military for Adjusted Gross Income of $69,000 or less
Same criteria apply when filing with a foreign address
Free state return if you qualify for the federal return
Mobile device friendly


If your AGI exceeds 59,000 or you have special tax forms, then even the paid version is still reasonable if paired with a 30% off AMEX offer. While filling it out, TaxAct will notify you if you do not qualify for Free File.

How to Register for TaxAct and Save Money

For NRA E-file users, as well as RA users with high income or special tax forms, TaxAct is paid. In general, the version you need is Deluxe+. Naturally, the first thing to consider is using a refer link to save 20%, and then you can consider stacking other promotions.

Register through a refer link

You are welcome to use our TaxAct refer link:

NRA users usually just need Deluxe+. Under normal circumstances, you will see a price of $35.96:

  • Stack with the AMEX Offer (30% off), and your final pre-tax cost is only $25
  • If you file a second return, click the referral sign-up link again. You may see the price drop further, YMMV

AMEX Offer

  • 5x MR, up to 2000 MR back
  • Ends 04/18/2023; there seems to be a similar promotion every tax season

Things to Know Before Using It

The process is basically foolproof: just go step by step. If there’s an issue, the software will usually alert you. It does take some time, but the payoff can be well worth it.

TaxAct interface

Overall, it’s convenient and intuitive. After you fill things out, it saves your basic information and keeps records of recent years’ tax returns, which makes filing again next year much easier. You can enter your information in order using the menu on the left side of the filing interface. In short, just take it one step at a time and you should be fine.

Built-in search support

If you go in order, you usually won’t run into major issues. But if you come across a part of the tax return you’re not familiar with, you can search within TaxAct (on the right side of the filing screen). For example, where do you enter the $5,000 China-US tax treaty benefit? Just search for it. The software will give you a link, and you can simply follow it: “8833 - Treaty-Based Return Position Disclosure Under Section 6114 or 7701 (b)”

Saving and viewing

When filling things out, you’ll need to be very detailed, but the software also helps catch errors. To find your saved information later on (it’s surprisingly easy to lose track of it), go to: My Account——my taxes

Submitting your return

Once you’ve finished filling everything out, you can choose either E-File or mail before submitting your return, and then you’ll be taken to the payment page. Since the author filed taxes quite a while ago, there are no screenshots saved from that step, but you can just follow the prompts.

Entering your prior-year AGI

Note that the IRS needs to verify your prior-year AGI. This field is required. If you leave it blank, the IRS will reject the return.

Rule Number Description: The return is missing your prior year AGI or PIN. Please repeat the Filing steps, and on the screen titled E-filing - Verify Your Identity, enter your 2020 Adjusted Gross Income or your 2020 Electronic Filing PIN. You can then continue through the steps to resubmit your return

There are a few different scenarios:

  • If you filed taxes last year: per IRS requirements, go to the official website, check your return type, and find which line shows the income amount
  • If you did not file last year: just enter 0 (this includes people filing for the first time this year; people who had a return last year but forgot to file; or late filers whose prior return has not yet been accepted by the IRS)

Other notes

  • If you have stock transactions or other investment tax forms, you’ll need the Premier+ version. No matter which version you signed up for, TaxAct will let you know if you need to pay extra, so you can file with confidence.
  • If you no longer have income in the US reported on 1042-S or W-2 forms, then under Federal——Basic Info——Income Exempt from Tax Under Treaty, Country, you must select none selected. Otherwise, your return will be instantly rejected by the system at submission.
  • If you file a second return, the price may become $32.97. After signing up, try refreshing the quote and you might get a different price. You can still go through TCB.
  • Use an AMEX credit card to pay, and remember to add the AMEX Offer: TaxAct 30% off, for up to $60 in savings
  • If you need to file Form 1040-X to amend a return that was already E-Filed, it can only be done by mail. TaxAct does not accept E-file for 1040-X.
  • For special refund situations requiring a full refund claim and a manually prepared statement, you can only use mail. See this DP here (J-1 returning home in the third year, full federal tax refund).

How long refunds or payments take

After your filing goes through, TaxAct will email you, and then you just wait for IRS acceptance. If you owe taxes, the money is usually withdrawn quickly, sometimes within three days. Refunds take longer, but usually no more than two weeks. If you use E-file, you can check the status in the E-file center.

Supports late filing

The author did not file taxes for 2020 (filed in 2021), but in 2022 TaxAct could still help prepare the return. There was an additional $3 processing fee, but the E-flie window had already closed. You can still complete the return in TaxAct, print it out, sign electronically, and ask a roommate or friend in the US to mail it to the IRS for you.

Automatic import of basic info

If you file every year, TaxAct can automatically import your prior-year information, greatly improving efficiency and also helping prevent mistakes.

Related articles

For more tax-filing articles, see:

TaxAct sign-up