Substantial Presence Test for Tax Year 2023

The following information and resources are to help you file your income taxes. The Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs cannot advise on filing taxes, nor review tax forms. Other resources for international student and scholar tax information can be found on the IRS website.

The Substantial Presence Test is used to determine if you are a resident or non-resident for tax purposes.

If you are not a U.S. Citizen, and you were physically present in the U.S. for at least 31 days in 2023 and cumulative (total) of 183 days for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, you are likely a resident for tax purposes. If you were not present for this total of days, you are likely a non-resident for tax purposes.

When counting your days present in the U.S., there are special rules related to your status that may reduce the number of days you count:

Calculate Your Days of Presence

To count your days of presence, follow the chart below.

+	(Number of Days in the U.S. in 2023)
+	(Number of Days in the U.S. in 2022) divided by 3
+	Number of days in the U.S. in 2021) divided by 6
=	Total Days of Presence

If your "Total Days of Presence" is 183 or greater, then you pass the Substantial Presence Test and are a resident alien for tax purposes. For more information on the Substantial Presence Test, see the IRS website.

However, there are exceptions to time counted toward the Substantial Presence Test for students and scholars in F-1 and J-1 status (and their dependents).

Thus...

You are likely a non-resident alien for tax purposes if:

You are an F-1 or J-1 student who entered the U.S. to begin your studies after December 31, 2018.
You are a J-1 scholar who entered the U.S. after December 31, 2021.

You are likely a resident alien for tax purposes if:

You are an F-1 or J-1 student who entered the U.S. to begin your studies before December 31, 2018.
You are a J-1 scholar who entered the U.S. before December 31, 2021.
You became a permanent resident (“green card” holder) in 2023.
Some tax treaties enable citizens of certain countries to claim resident tax status even if they do not pass the Substantial Presence Test.

For more information on federal tax status, please see the International section of the IRS website, and also the Substantial Presence Test section. Not sure if you're a resident alien or non-resident alien for tax purposes? Use Sprintax Returns - Tax Filing for help.