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I am on a student F-1 visa in the United States, and have invested in a number of U.S. mutual funds through Vanguard. Questions:

  1. Do I count as a non-resident alien OR a resident alien for tax purposes?
  2. If I leave the U.S. after my studies, what are the implications for the tax that will be incurred on my investment, and how would I pay them?

Thanks!

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It looks like F visa students are not counted as residents, according to this.

In general, resident status is determined by the substantial presence test:

To meet this test, you must be physically present in the United States on at least:

  • 31 days during the current year, and
  • 183 days during the 3-year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before that, counting:
    • All the days you were present in the current year, and
    • 1/3 of the days you were present in the first year before the current year, and
    • 1/6 of the days you were present in the second year before the current year.

Also, of course, if you had green card you'd be resident too. But F-visa students seem to be exempt.

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  • OK, so sounds like I am a non-resident alien. I guess I will stay this way when I leave the country? What would be the tax rate for a non-resident alien?
    – aplmkt
    Jan 31, 2011 at 9:47
  • This is not true: F1 students are not generally exempt and considered non-resident aliens: After 5 years in the US on F1 visa you are considered resident alien for tax purposes.
    – divB
    Mar 23, 2018 at 5:59

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