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Resident Alien Taxes
Read First: Substantial Presence Test
If you are a resident for tax purposes and you earned income during the previous year, you will need to file federal and state taxes. Depending on your income, you will be required to complete and file:
- Federal tax forms Form 1040 (pdf) and instructions, and additional supporting forms.
- Virginia State tax forms 760 (online); a PDF version is also available
- 760PY (online); if you lived in VA for less than half of the tax year. A PDF version is also available.
- Instructions for Form 760 or 760PY are available, along with an additional supporting forms.
- Tax forms for other states, if you lived or worked there.
Options for Assistance with Tax Filing
1. Online Tax Programs
Online tax preparation programs (such as H&R Block, Tax Act, TurboTax, etc.) ask you questions and completes tax forms fo you. They also typically allow electronic filing. Simple returns are sometimes free, though these programs typically do charge fees. There are often separate fees for federal and state taxes.
Note: If your income is below a certain level, many of these programs are free through Free File.
2. VITA Tax Assistance Volunteers
The VITA Tax Program is a free service of volunteers trained by the IRS who help older and low to moderate income earners file federal and state taxes. Limited locations are available.
3. AARP Tax Assistance Volunteers
The AARP Tax-Aide Program is a free service of volunteers trained by the IRS who help older and low-moderate income earners file federal and state taxes.
For the AARP service, it is recommended that you bring the following documents:
- Passport, I-94 record
- Social Security card (if you have one)
- W-2, 1099 (if applicable), 1042-S (if applicable), 1098-T (if applicable), any other tax documents you have received
- Receipts for any deductions you want to claim
- Bank account information: bring your checkbook, if you have one, as this will have your routing number. Otherwise, you should be able to find your bank's routing number online.
- Copy of your previous year's federal and state tax returns (if you filed taxes)
4. Professional Preparers
You can also use professional tax preparers (such as H&R Block, JacksonHewitt Tax Service, Liberty Tax Service, etc.) to file your taxes. These are typically more costly than do-it-yourself software but can be beneficial if you prefer to meet with someone in-person. Or, you can contact an accountant. Accountants typically have more detailed expertise, but will typically be more expensive than a tax service.
5. Just need forms?
To get tax forms, you can download them from the IRS website and the Virginia tax website, or you may be able to get paper copies at the Williamsburg Public Library.