Although the immigration laws of the United States refer to individuals who are not U.S. citizens as immigrants, nonimmigrants, and undocumented individuals, the tax laws of the United States refer only to residents and nonresidents. In general, the controlling principle is that U.S. residents are taxed in the same manner as U.S. citizens on their worldwide income, and nonresidents (with certain narrowly defined exceptions) are subject to federal income tax only on income derived from sources within the United States and/or income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. The residency rules for tax purposes are found in Internal Revenue Code section 7701(b). If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are considered a U.S. resident, if you meet one of two tests for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). You are admitted to the United States as, or change your status to, a lawful permanent resident under the immigration laws (the Green Card Test), or You meet the Substantial Presence Test (which is a numerical formula which measures days of presence in the United States). Note. Under the Internal Revenue Code, even an undocumented individual who meets the Substantial Presence Test will be treated for tax purposes as a U.S. resident. In some cases, you may choose to override the result of the Green Card Test and/or the Substantial Presence Test by: Making the "First-Year Choice" to be treated as a U.S. resident for at least part of the year of arrival, Choosing with your U.S. citizen or U.S. resident spouse to be treated as a U.S. resident, Claiming a closer connection to a foreign country, or Qualifying as a resident of a foreign country under its laws and being eligible to be treated, and claiming treatment, as a resident of the foreign country under the residency tie-breaker rules of an income tax treaty between that country and the United States. Related Tax Residency Status First-Year Choice Foreign Students and Scholars Determining an Individual’s Tax Residency Status Taxation of U.S. Residents Taxation of Nonresidents Note: This page contains one or more references to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Treasury Regulations, court cases, or other official tax guidance. References to these legal authorities are included for the convenience of those who would like to read the technical reference material. To access the applicable IRC sections, Treasury Regulations, or other official tax guidance, visit the Tax Code, Regulations, and Official Guidance page. To access any Tax Court cases filed on or after May 1, 1986, visit the Opinions Search page of the United States Tax Court.
