Your first years of U.S. money, explained.

Taxes, retirement accounts and credit work differently when you're new to the U.S. Pikalo shows the rules that apply to you, runs the numbers with IRS figures, and links the official source for every answer. The calculators are free and run in your browser, so nothing you enter is saved.

I'm

International studentF-1, J-1, M-1, OPTWorking on a visaH-1B, L-1, O-1, TNNew green card holderor just moved hereGrew up herefirst in my family to do this

Answer your questions

Am I a resident or nonresident?Decides which return you file.
Was I overcharged Social Security tax?Check your W-2 in a minute.

Watch out for

Social Security tax taken from a student paycheck
Filing a resident return when you're a nonresident
Skipping Form 8843 because you had no income
Missing a tax treaty benefit
Paying a preparer who won't sign your return
Starting with no credit history

See all money traps

Get the assistant first

We're building an assistant that answers your tax and retirement questions using IRS publications, with the source next to every answer. It launches for the 2027 tax season. Join to get early access and tell us what to build.