Do you have to file taxes for an internship?
Andrew Ramirez
Published Mar 02, 2026
U.S. law requires that J-1 Interns and Trainees pay federal, state and local taxes on income earned while in the United States. This includes income from salaries, wages and tips. Interns and Trainees on a J-1 Visa are required to file Form 1040NR-EZ with the IRS for their federal U.S. individual income tax returns.
How are temporary employees taxed?
As a self-employed taxpayer, you file a Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ with your tax return. As a temporary employee, however, you receive a W-2 from each employer, but you don’t fill out a Schedule C. Instead, you can itemize your deductions on Schedule A to take advantage of any unreimbursed employee expense deductions.
Does internship count as income?
If you’re interning at a business that’s providing you with income (and in that case, congrats) then those are taxable wages just like any standard job. Plus, you’ll be able to write off work-related expenses. However, if your internship is unpaid, then you won’t have to worry about taxes.
Can you claim an unpaid internship on taxes?
An unpaid internship at a qualified nonprofit, charity or government entity could be classified as volunteer work, which broadens the expenses that may be counted as tax deductions. The tax rules state that you can deduct auto expenses incurred while using your car to provide service to the charitable organization.
Do I have to file taxes for a temporary job?
Do I need to file taxes for a seasonal job? Even though seasonal work is usually temporary and short-term, you must file taxes if you’re under 65, filing as a single taxpayer, and your income is $10,400 or more. Your employer did not know you would make less than $10,400 so they withheld tax from each paycheck.
When do interns have to file their tax returns?
If you received a paycheck during your internship or training program in the U.S. during 2020, taxes were likely withheld from your pay. It’s important that you file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by May 17, 2021 in order to receive any refund that you may be due.
Do you get a tax deduction for an internship?
Internships can be paid or unpaid, but either way they have a bearing on the student’s tax situation. Paid internships are treated like any other source of income, and must be included in your return. If you’re an unpaid intern, you may be eligible for a number of deductions to offset other income.
Do you have to pay taxes as a J-1 intern?
U.S. law requires that J-1 Interns and Trainees pay federal, state and local taxes on income earned while in the United States. This includes income from salaries, wages and tips. You should receive a W-2 Form from your employer before you file your taxes.
Can You claim travel expenses as an intern?
When you work as a student intern and you are classified as a nonprofit volunteer instead of an employee, you can’t deduct job related-expenses or any of the time you put in. However, you may be able to take a deduction for travel expenses if they are incurred while you are performing a service for the organization.