For someone who was a nonresident alien for the entire 2025 tax year and needs Form 1040-NR, Sprintax Returns is the clearest software match supported by the available product information. It is designed for international students, scholars, teachers, researchers and certain temporary visitors and workers. Its online product does not prepare a dual-status return, so it is not the right choice for a year in which you changed from nonresident to resident status.
Glacier Tax Prep is another relevant service to investigate, but its currently published materials do not provide enough verified detail to rank it on forms, state returns, e-filing, pricing or support. Before choosing anything, establish your U.S. tax residency for the tax year. An F-1 visa, OPT authorization or another immigration category does not by itself answer that tax question.
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The short answer: match the software to your tax status
The best choice depends first on whether you are a full-year nonresident alien, a dual-status alien or a U.S. tax resident. Software that is excellent for resident Form 1040 returns may not support Form 1040-NR, treaty positions or the special reporting required of nonresidents.
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- Full-year nonresident who needs 1040-NR: Start with Sprintax Returns, then confirm that your income types, state filing and any required attachments are supported for the current product year.
- Dual-status year: Do not use Sprintax Returns’ online product; its FAQ says dual-status returns are not supported. Use a tax professional familiar with alien-status returns or another service that explicitly confirms dual-status capability.
- Unclear residency, treaty issue or unusual income: Get professional advice before entering data into software. A wrong residency classification can change the form, tax rates and deductions available.
- Simple case and no suitable software: Use the current IRS Form 1040-NR instructions and forms, or have a preparer complete the return. Do not assume a mainstream resident-return program can create a valid 1040-NR.
The Internal Revenue Service states in Publication 519 (2025): “Nonresident aliens who are required to file an income tax return should use Form 1040-NR.” That sentence applies when the person is required to file; it does not mean every nonresident must file a return.
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Step 1: determine whether you were a nonresident alien
Tax residency is a U.S. tax-law classification, not an immigration label. The IRS applies residency rules described in Publication 519. A person can hold an F-1, J-1, H-1B or another visa and still need to determine residency independently for the year.
Full-year nonresident
You are in the category that specialized 1040-NR software is designed for when you were treated as a nonresident for the entire tax year. You generally report income and deductions under the nonresident rules, and your return is Form 1040-NR when a filing requirement applies.
Dual-status year
A dual-status year occurs when your tax residency changes during the year. The return and attached statements divide the year into resident and nonresident periods. Because the online Sprintax product expressly excludes dual-status returns, identify this issue before buying or entering information. A service that merely advertises “international” filing is not enough; ask whether it prepares a dual-status Form 1040-NR package and the accompanying resident return.
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Readers often ask for the “best software to file taxes as a non-resident (working on F1 OPT).” OPT employment may produce U.S. wages, but the F-1 classification alone does not establish your tax residency for the year. Check the IRS residency rules and your dates in the United States. If the answer is uncertain, stop before selecting software.
When a nonresident must file Form 1040-NR
Publication 519 describes several situations that can create a filing obligation. The facts of your year control, and exceptions can apply.
- You were engaged, or considered engaged, in a U.S. trade or business.
- You received certain U.S.-source income for which withholding did not fully satisfy your tax liability.
- You are seeking a refund of tax withheld or claiming an allowable deduction or credit.
- Another specific rule in the current Form 1040-NR instructions requires a return for your circumstances.
Do not use the shortcut “every nonresident files.” A person with no income subject to tax may fall within an exception, while a person seeking a refund may need to file even when little or no additional tax is due.
Limited student, teacher and trainee exception
For tax year 2025, the Form 1040-NR instructions identify a limited exception for some nonresident F, J, M or Q students, teachers or trainees who have no income subject to tax. It is not a blanket exemption for all students, all F-1 holders or everyone without wages. Read the complete exception in the 2025 Form 1040-NR instructions. Form 8843 may still be relevant in circumstances described by the IRS, even when no income-tax return is required.
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Software options compared
The table separates what is documented from what you must verify for your particular return. Pricing and detailed feature matrices were not established in the available official pages, so a missing item is shown as “not stated,” not guessed.
| Option | Residency and 1040-NR fit | Dual-status handling | State filing, price and workflow | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprintax Returns | Published for international students, scholars, teachers, researchers and certain temporary visitors and workers who are nonresidents for the entire tax year. | Not supported by its online product, according to the Sprintax FAQ. | Current state availability, exact forms, e-file or print-and-mail instructions and current price: not stated in the retrieved information; confirm on the live product page. | First product to investigate for a straightforward full-year nonresident return. |
| Glacier Tax Prep | Relevant category alternative; current supported forms were not sufficiently documented in the retrieved official content. | Not stated. | State returns, e-file process, pricing and support scope: not stated in the retrieved official content. | Compare after obtaining written confirmation that it handles your exact forms and status. |
| IRS forms and instructions | The authoritative source for Form 1040-NR, instructions and Publication 519. | The instructions explain required reporting, but completing a complicated dual-status return yourself can be difficult. | Federal forms are available from the IRS; a state return is handled by the relevant state. Filing method and any mailing requirement depend on your situation. | Verification, self-preparation when appropriate, or a reference for a paid preparer. |
| General resident-focused tax software | Do not assume Form 1040-NR or nonresident schedules are supported. Check the current forms list before paying. | Usually not established unless the provider explicitly says so. | State support, treaty reporting and ITIN workflows vary and must be confirmed. | Only after the provider confirms 1040-NR and every required attachment for your year. |
What Sprintax Returns can—and cannot—do for this decision
Sprintax states that its Returns product serves international students, scholars, teachers and researchers and can also prepare returns for certain temporary visitors and workers. The published scope is conditioned on being a nonresident for the entire tax year. That makes it the strongest documented starting point for a conventional 1040-NR case.
The limitation is decisive: the online product does not support dual-status tax returns. If you entered the United States or changed status during the year in a way that makes you resident for part of the year, do not try to force the facts into a full-year nonresident interview. Ask Sprintax or another preparer what service, if any, handles your case, and obtain confirmation before purchasing.
The retrieved product information does not establish a universal current price, every federal or state form, state-return charges, treaty coverage, amended-return workflow, ITIN process or whether a specific return must be printed and mailed. Verify those items for the exact tax year and income combination shown on your documents.
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How to evaluate Glacier Tax Prep or any alternative
Glacier Tax Prep is a relevant alternative in this category, but the available official page did not provide enough detail to call it a feature-by-feature winner. Use a written checklist rather than relying on a general “international tax” description.
- Ask whether the service prepares Form 1040-NR for a full-year nonresident for the tax year you are filing.
- Ask whether it supports your income: wages, scholarships, fellowship payments, interest, dividends, capital gains, self-employment or other U.S.-source amounts.
- Ask how it reports a treaty position and whether the required treaty disclosure or attachment is produced.
- Confirm whether Form 8843 is included when applicable and whether an ITIN application can be prepared if you do not have a Social Security number.
- Confirm federal delivery: electronic filing, print-and-mail, or a combination, and identify any forms that you must sign or mail yourself.
- Confirm state-return availability, separate state charges and whether your state requires a different filing method.
- Ask whether amended returns and prior-year returns are supported, if you need either.
- Get the total price for your exact package and what human support is included, rather than accepting a base price that excludes a state return or a special schedule.
F-1 OPT: a practical path from documents to the right return
OPT wages are still wages from U.S. employment for reporting purposes; the key software question is your tax residency and the forms your employer issued. Gather your Form W-2, any Forms 1099, scholarship or fellowship statements, records of moving or education expenses only where a rule actually permits them, and your entry and exit dates.
Check the year before choosing a product
List every day you were physically present in the United States and any visa or status changes. Use Publication 519 and the current Form 1040-NR instructions to determine whether you are a full-year nonresident, dual-status or resident. If you cannot make that determination confidently, consult a professional instead of selecting software by visa label.
Check withholding and refunds
Compare federal withholding on Form W-2 with your estimated liability under nonresident rules. A refund claim is one of the situations that can require filing. Do not assume that withholding automatically settled the return or that a refund is available without filing the correct form.
Check treaty and scholarship details
Treaty benefits and scholarship treatment depend on the specific treaty article, residence country, payment type and eligibility conditions. Software should let you identify the relevant facts and create the required reporting; if it merely asks you to select a country without explaining the resulting form, obtain professional review.
Income categories that change the answer
Publication 519 distinguishes between income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business and U.S.-source income that is not effectively connected. Effectively connected income is generally taxed under graduated rules. Certain U.S.-source income not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may be subject to a 30% rate or a lower treaty rate. These are general classifications, not a calculation for every individual.
Effectively connected income
Employment wages and other income connected with work or business in the United States often require detailed reporting on Form 1040-NR. Enter the amounts exactly as shown on information returns and retain supporting records. The correct treatment can depend on the type of payment and your facts.
Fixed, determinable, annual or periodic U.S.-source income
Interest, dividends, rents and similar payments can fall under different withholding and treaty rules. Do not apply a flat 30% assumption without checking whether the income is effectively connected or a treaty reduces the rate.
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Scholarship or fellowship payments can be taxable, exempt, treaty-affected or excluded depending on their purpose and your circumstances. Confirm that the product supports the statement or form you received and can handle any treaty claim. If the software cannot identify the payment type, use a preparer.
2025 filing dates and e-filing rules
The IRS lists the 2025 Form 1040-NR and instructions as current tax-year documents. For a 2025 return, the instructions say that a filer who was an employee and received wages subject to U.S. income-tax withholding should file by April 15, 2026. Use the current instructions for your specific situation rather than treating that date as universal.
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Publication 519 describes a June 15 filing extension in certain circumstances when, on April 15, the taxpayer’s main place of business and home are outside the United States and Puerto Rico. An extension gives more time to file, not more time to pay tax due. Estimate and pay any balance by the original deadline to reduce interest or penalties.
Paid preparers generally must e-file Forms 1040-NR for returns for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2020. The IRS rule has specified exceptions, including certain dual-status taxpayers, fiscal-year taxpayers, trusts and estates. This paid-preparer mandate does not mean every self-prepared return must be electronically filed. Follow the filing method stated in the current instructions and by your chosen service.
A step-by-step selection and filing workflow
- Identify your tax status. Apply the IRS residency rules for the tax year and flag any status change that could create dual status.
- List every income document. Include W-2 wages, 1099 forms, scholarship or fellowship records, investment statements and any withholding certificates.
- List the forms you may need. Start with Form 1040-NR and consider Form 8843, treaty disclosures, ITIN material, state returns and amended-return forms where applicable.
- Screen software before creating an account. Confirm full-year 1040-NR support, your income types, treaty workflow and whether the service handles your state.
- Ask about dual status immediately. If the answer is yes, stop using a full-year nonresident product and obtain specialist help.
- Calculate the total price. Include federal preparation, state preparation, add-on forms, support and any print-and-mail step.
- Enter legal and immigration dates carefully. Small date errors can change residency questions and treaty eligibility.
- Review the generated return line by line. Check name, address, identification number, wages, withholding, treaty entries, bank details and state information against your source documents.
- Confirm delivery and signatures. Save a copy, sign every required declaration and follow the service’s e-file or mailing instructions.
- Retain records. Keep the submitted return, confirmation, documents and residency calculations for your tax records.
Costs, support and state returns
There is no verified universal price for either Sprintax Returns or Glacier Tax Prep in the available official material. Prices can change by tax year and may depend on federal complexity, a state return, treaty reporting, an ITIN application, amended filings or support level. Treat a displayed starting price as incomplete until the checkout total shows every required component.
State filing is a separate decision from federal 1040-NR preparation. Confirm that your state accepts a nonresident return for your facts, whether the software creates it, whether a second purchase is required and whether the state requires paper mailing. A federal product description alone does not establish state support.
Common mistakes and how to correct them
Choosing software by visa type
Problem: Assuming F-1 or OPT automatically means nonresident. Fix: Apply the IRS tax-residency rules and check for a dual-status year before purchasing.
Using a resident-only return
Problem: Filing Form 1040 because a familiar program accepts your W-2. Fix: Verify that the provider explicitly supports Form 1040-NR and the required nonresident schedules for your year.
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Problem: Treating payroll withholding as proof that no return is needed. Fix: Check the filing rules, refund possibilities and exceptions in the current instructions.
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Applying a treaty without documentation
Problem: Selecting a treaty country and reducing tax without confirming the article and eligibility. Fix: Match the payment type, residence history and treaty conditions; obtain professional advice when any element is uncertain.
Ignoring Form 8843
Problem: Concluding that no filing action exists because there was no taxable wage income. Fix: Read the Form 1040-NR exceptions and determine separately whether Form 8843 is required or appropriate.
Missing the payment deadline after an extension
Problem: Believing an extension postpones tax payment. Fix: Pay estimated tax by the original due date and file by the extended deadline.
When a tax professional is the better tool
Use a professional who regularly prepares nonresident and dual-status returns when you changed status during the year, have treaty questions, received several types of scholarship or investment income, operated a business, need an ITIN, have foreign reporting complications, need an amended return or cannot determine whether you must file. Ask the preparer to confirm experience with Form 1040-NR and to explain which federal and state forms will be filed.
Professional help is also sensible when the software’s interview produces an answer that conflicts with your documents. A low advertised price is not a benefit if the product cannot legally represent your status or leaves a required attachment for you to create yourself.
Final checklist before submission
- Tax residency classification is documented for the entire year.
- Any dual-status issue has been resolved by a qualified preparer or a service that explicitly supports it.
- Form 1040-NR, rather than an unverified resident return, is selected when required.
- W-2, 1099, scholarship, fellowship and withholding figures match the source documents.
- Treaty claims have a factual and treaty basis, with required disclosures.
- Form 8843 and any ITIN material have been considered separately.
- State filing, state fees and delivery method are confirmed.
- The filing deadline and any payment due are on your calendar.
- You have saved the final return, acceptance or mailing proof and all supporting records.
For a full-year 2025 nonresident with a conventional income profile, Sprintax Returns is the best-supported starting point in this comparison. Verify its current forms, state support, price and filing method before paying. If your year is dual-status or your income and treaty facts are complicated, a specialist tax professional is safer than forcing the return through software that was not built for it.
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