I’m a digital marketer from India working remotely with a few U.S.-based clients. I get paid through Wise directly into my bank account. I don’t live in the U.S., and I don’t have a visa or anything. But since my clients are American, I’m wondering, do I really need to file U.S. taxes? I thought withholding took care of everything, but someone mentioned Form 1040-NR and now I’m a bit confused.
Answer by: abdullah-al-naim
1 month ago
Yes, even if you\’re not living in the U.S., you may still need to file a U.S. tax return.
If you\’re considered a Non-Resident Alien (NRA) and you earned income from U.S. sources, like working with U.S. clients, running a business connected to the U.S., or receiving payments that weren\’t fully taxed at the source, you’ll most likely need to file Form 1040-NR.
Here’s when filing is a must:
You were engaged in a U.S. trade or business during the year (yes, even remotely!).
You earned U.S. source income that wasn’t completely taxed through withholding.
Even if you think \”the client probably took care of it,\” the IRS still expects a formal return from your side. Filing keeps things compliant, avoids future trouble, and, if overpaid, you might even get a refund.
Need help figuring this out? It can get tricky, but that’s exactly where expert hands make life easier.
