H1B Tax Filing Checklist 2026 (Free Download)

The 23-item H1B tax filing checklist (2026)

Use this before you file. Print it out. Check every box.

Income documents

• ☐ W-2 from all employers
• ☐ 1099-INT (interest income — including from Indian NRE/NRO if you're a resident)
• ☐ 1099-DIV (dividends from US stocks)
• ☐ 1099-B (stock sales from US brokers)
• ☐ RSU / ESPP documents (often included in W-2, but verify)
• ☐ Any Indian income converted to USD (FD interest, rent, dividends)

Status check

• ☐ Calculate Substantial Presence Test — are you 1040 or 1040-NR?
• ☐ If dual-status year (first or last year in US), note the date of status change
• ☐ Check visa status changes during the year (F1 → OPT → H1B)

Bank and foreign account checks

• ☐ Do your Indian bank accounts total over $10,000 on any single day? → File FBAR
• ☐ Do your foreign financial assets total over $50,000? → File Form 8938 (FATCA)
• ☐ Gather Form 26AS from Indian income tax portal (shows TDS withheld)

Deductions and credits

• ☐ Confirm filing status: Single / MFS / Married Filing Jointly (only if spouse elected resident)
• ☐ If itemizing: mortgage interest (Form 1098), state taxes paid, charitable donations
• ☐ Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116): any taxes paid in India on Indian income?
• ☐ Tuition (Form 1098-T) if enrolled in any courses
• ☐ Student loan interest (1098-E) if still repaying US student loans

FICA refund check (F1 OPT only)

• ☐ Were you on F1/OPT in 2025? Check if FICA was withheld incorrectly
• ☐ If yes, file Form 843 to claim FICA refund (average $4,000)

State taxes

• ☐ Identify all states you physically worked in during 2025
• ☐ If you moved mid-year, file part-year returns in both states
• ☐ Some states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA, NV) — verify

Before submitting

• ☐ Double-check SSN and all spouse/dependent SSNs/ITINs
• ☐ Confirm bank routing + account number for direct deposit refund
• ☐ Sign return (e-signature counts)
• ☐ Keep copies for 7 years

Filing deadlines (2026)

Watch the full H1B tax mistakes video →