Do non US citizens have to pay US taxes?
Emma Jordan
Published Feb 11, 2026
A nonresident alien (for tax purposes) must pay taxes on any income earned in the U.S. to the Internal Revenue Service, unless the person can claim a tax treaty benefit. Generally, a resident alien can’t qualify for a tax treaty benefit. Resident aliens for tax purposes are taxed on their worldwide income.
Do I have to pay state taxes if I live abroad?
Unlike almost everywhere else in the world, American expats still need to file U.S. income taxes while living abroad—and that also may include state taxes. The fact is, if you remain a U.S. citizen or green card holder who works abroad, you are still required to file U.S. taxes and report your income every year.
Do you have to pay taxes if you are a nonresident alien?
If you are a nonresident alien engaged in a trade or business in the United States, you must pay U.S. tax on the amount of your effectively connected income, after allowable deductions, at the same rates that apply to U.S. citizens and residents.
Do you have to file tax return if you are non-US citizen?
While it is generally known that all US citizens and green card holders must file US tax return s, most people are unfamiliar with the laws that subject many nonimmigrants (i.e., those who move to the US on non-resident visas) to US taxation on their worldwide income. If they are not careful,…
Do you have to pay taxes on investment income if you are not US citizen?
The exact rule is complex and takes prior years into account; see IRS publication 519 for all the details (link at the bottom). In the years when a non-US citizen is considered a non-resident for tax purposes, that person owes tax on investment income according to the following special rules. No tax on bank interest.
Can you deduct US debt obligations on state tax returns?
On the other hand, 99.69% of the dividends and interest of the Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury came from U.S. debt obligations. For each fund, the appropriate percentage of the dividends and interest paid during the year is deductible on many state tax returns.
