Don't let the IRS stress you out during finals.
Whether you're a domestic student maximizing your Pell Grant refund or an F-1 International Student navigating complex tax treaties, we handle the paperwork so you can focus on your GPA. We are the student tax experts.
*Hardship pricing available for students in need.
CPA Reviewed
Every return is checked by a Licensed CPA. No bots, no guessing. We sign your return as a paid preparer.
Built for F-1 & J-1 Compliance
Our process is designed specifically for F-1 and J-1 non-resident tax requirements and is reviewed by a licensed CPA.
Education Experts
We know 1098-T, AOTC, LLC, and Pell Grant rules inside out to maximize your refund legally.
Why students switch to Yellow
🚫 The TurboTax Trap
Most online tax software is not designed for non-resident returns. If an international student files the wrong form, it can lead to incorrect reporting and future compliance issues.
We fix this. We file the correct Non-Resident forms manually.
✅ The Yellow Advantage
We analyze Tax Treaties. Citizens of China, India, Korea, and 60+ other countries may be exempt from paying taxes on up to $5,000 (or more) of income. Automated software often misses this.
Result: Bigger refunds, legally.
🇺🇸 Domestic Student Services
If you have a Green Card or are a U.S. Citizen, maximizing your education credits can mean thousands of dollars in refunds. Don't leave money on the table.
📄 Form 1098-T Optimization
We reconcile your tuition payments with scholarships to ensure you claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), worth up to $2,500.
💰 Pell Grant Strategy
Did you know including some grant money as "income" can actually increase your refund? We run the math to get you the max.
🚗 Gig Economy Support
DoorDash, Uber, or freelance coding? We handle your Schedule C and deduct expenses like mileage and laptop costs to lower your tax bill.
📈 Crypto & Robinhood
Did you trade on Robinhood or Coinbase? We process your 1099-B and 8949 forms to report gains and losses accurately.
🏦 State Filings
Study in Massachusetts but live in California? We handle complex multi-state filings to ensure you don't pay double tax.
👪 Dependency Checks
Can your parents claim you? We run the IRS support test to determine if you are independent, which can change your refund significantly.
🌏 International Student Services
Filing taxes as a non-resident is complex. Accurate tax filing helps maintain a clean compliance record, which is an important part of long-term immigration planning.
📝 Form 8843 (Mandatory)
Even if you earned $0 income, you must file Form 8843 to report your presence to the IRS. Failure to file required informational forms may cause issues during future immigration or tax reviews.
🤝 Tax Treaty Benefits
The U.S. has treaties with 60+ countries (China, India, France, Germany, etc.). We research Article 20/21 of your specific treaty to legally exempt your income from tax.
💼 OPT / CPT Taxes
Working on OPT? You are likely exempt from Social Security & Medicare taxes (FICA). If your employer withheld them, we file Form 843 to get that money back.
🏦 1042-S & ITINs
Received a scholarship on Form 1042-S? Don't have a Social Security Number? We assist with W-7 ITIN applications so you can file.
Student Stories
Sarah, Junior at NYU
Sarah had a part-time job and a large scholarship. By optimizing her Pell Grant allocation, we increased her refund by $800 using the AOTC credit.
Rahul, Grad Student at USC
Rahul (from India) was using TurboTax. We switched him to a 1040-NR, applied the US-India Tax Treaty (Article 21), and saved him $1,200 in taxes.
Alex, Design Major
Alex made $5k on Upwork. He didn't know he could deduct his Adobe subscription and new iPad. We lowered his taxable income by $1,500.
Yellow vs. The Others
| Feature | Yellow Services | Sprintax | TurboTax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (Federal) | $49 - $79 | $60+ | $0 - $100+ |
| CPA Review? | ✔ Yes, Real CPA | ✘ Automated | ✘ No |
| 1040-NR Support? | ✔ Expert Level | ✔ Yes | ✘ Not Supported |
| Hardship Discount? | ✔ Yes | ✘ No | ✘ No |
| Year-Round Help? | ✔ Yes | Seasonal | Extra Fees |
Transparent Student Pricing
No hidden fees. Pay only when you are ready to file.
Domestic Simple
Best for U.S. Citizens/Residents
- Form 1040
- W-2 Income
- 1098-T Optimization
- Direct Deposit
International (F-1)
For Visa Holders (NR)
- Form 1040-NR
- Form 8843 (Included)
- Treaty Analysis
- Non-Resident Filing Review
Complex / Side Gig
Freelance / Crypto / Multi-State
- Schedule C (Uber/Lyft)
- Crypto Gains/Losses
- Stock Trading
- State Allocations
Add-ons: State Return (+$35) • FICA Refund Claim (+$50) • ITIN Application (Contact us)
Student Tax Glossary
Confused by the jargon? Here is what you need to know.
Comprehensive Student FAQ
General Questions
I had no income. Do I still need to file?
Domestic Students: Generally, no, unless you want to claim refundable credits.
International Students: YES. You must file Form 8843 to report your presence to the IRS, even if you earned $0. We can file this for you for a small fee.
What documents do I need to upload?
Ideally: Passport/Visa, I-20 or DS-2019, W-2 (from employer), 1042-S (scholarship), and 1098-T (tuition). If you traded crypto or stocks, we need your 1099-B.
Can my parents claim me?
If you are a domestic student under 24, likely yes. This affects your standard deduction. We will ask specific questions during intake to determine your dependency status.
International Specifics
What if I accidentally used TurboTax as an International Student?
This is a common issue and can often be corrected through an amended return when addressed promptly. You likely filed a resident return (1040) instead of a non-resident return (1040-NR). We can help you file an Amended Return (1040-X) to correct the record.
Am I a Resident or Non-Resident for Tax Purposes?
Generally, F-1 students are Non-Residents for their first 5 calendar years in the US. After that, you may become a Resident for tax purposes under the Substantial Presence Test.
Can I claim the Standard Deduction?
Most Non-Residents cannot. However, students from India may be able to claim the Standard Deduction under Article 21 of the US-India Tax Treaty.
My employer withheld FICA (Social Security) tax. Can I get it back?
Yes! If you are an F-1 student on OPT/CPT and have been in the US less than 5 years, you are exempt. We can file Form 843 to request a refund of these taxes.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Are scholarships taxable?
Scholarships used for tuition and books are tax-free. Scholarships used for room and board are taxable income. We help you allocate this correctly to minimize tax.
What if I didn't receive a 1098-T?
Check your university student portal (Bursar/Financial Aid section). If you still can't find it, we can sometimes use your billing statements to reconstruct the data.
Pricing & Support
Do you offer a discount for financial hardship?
Yes. We were students once too. If you are struggling financially, please email us with the subject line "Hardship Request". We often lower our fee to $29 for simple returns to help you stay compliant.
How long does it take?
Once you upload your documents, we typically finish your return in 48-72 hours. During peak deadlines (April 10-15), it may take slightly longer.
State-Specific Student Tax Rules
We handle filings for students in all 50 states. Common scenarios:
California does NOT conform to federal tax treaties. Even if your income is exempt federally, you may owe CA state tax.
If you lived in dorms for more than 11 months, you might be considered a resident for NY tax purposes.
MA has a health insurance mandate. You must report your 1099-HC to avoid penalties.
No state income tax! You only need to file a Federal return.
IL taxes scholarships that are used for room and board, similar to federal law.
PA has a flat tax rate and does not allow many deductions for students.
Ready to file your taxes?
Secure, accurate, and stress-free. Join thousands of students who trust Yellow Business Services Co.
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