“As a nonresident, is there any free software I can use to e-file my 1040-NR tax return?”
You do not need to pay just because you are a nonresident. The important part is choosing software that expressly supports Form 1040-NR rather than relying on a generic “free 1040” advertisement.
Your route depends on the tax year and whether you already have a taxpayer identification number that can be used for e-filing.
Use OLT.com. Its supported-form list for tax year 2025 includes , and its site says you can prepare, print, and e-file federally for free. Its offer also makes the state return free if your 2025 was $51,000 or less, or if you were active-duty military with AGI of $89,000 or less; otherwise OLT says federal stays free and each state costs $9.95.
You cannot e-file this year. The IRS requires the original return to be attached to Form W-7, and it prohibits e-filing with an during the calendar year that ITIN is assigned.
The current service processes only current-year returns, and the verified OLT support list is specifically for tax year 2025. No fetched source confirmed a free prior-year Form 1040-NR e-file route.
This covers the federal return; a separate state return may have a charge.
These steps get your 2025 federal nonresident return filed through the free route or move you to the required paper process if a new ITIN prevents e-filing.
Before creating an account
Confirm the return year and taxpayer number
Use the OLT e-file route only for a 2025 return when you already have an SSN or an ITIN that was not newly assigned in 2026. For an earlier tax year, the current IRS Free File service is unavailable; for a new ITIN, follow the paper step below.
Requirements
For an existing SSN or ITIN
Open OLT’s free filing page
Go directly to https://www.olt.com/main/oltfree/default.php and start the return. OLT lists Form 1040-NR in its tax-year-2025 supported forms and says federal preparation, printing, and e-filing are free. If your AGI was $51,000 or less—or you were active-duty military with AGI of $89,000 or less—the OLT IRS Free File offer also makes the state return free; otherwise OLT lists each state at $9.95.
Requirements
File without further delay
Prepare and submit Form 1040-NR
Complete the 2025 Form 1040-NR in OLT and transmit the federal return for $0. The regular April 15 and June 15 deadlines have passed; if you timely filed Form 4868, the six-month extended date is October 15, 2026 for an April 15 return or December 15, 2026 for a June 15 return.
Requirements
Instead of e-filing
Mail the W-7 package if you need a new ITIN
Attach Form W-7 to the front of the paper return and mail the package to: Internal Revenue Service, ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342. Do not mail it to the ordinary Form 1040-NR address; the IRS says you cannot e-file with an ITIN in the calendar year it is assigned.
Requirements
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This answer relies on the IRS’s 2025 Form 1040-NR, Form 4868, and Form W-7 instructions plus the current OLT and FreeTaxUSA support pages.
2025 Instructions for Form 1040-NR
The IRS expressly permits Form 1040-NR to be e-filed.
Electronic filing (e-file)
You can electronically file (e-file) your Form 1040-NR.
OLT Free File supported forms
OLT’s own current supported-form list includes Form 1040-NR for tax year 2025.
Current Year Federal Supported Forms
Supported Federal Income Tax Forms ~ Tax Year 2025 1040 NR | US Individual Income Tax Return for Non Resident Aliens
OLT IRS Free File offer
OLT says qualified users get free federal and state e-filing, while nonqualifiers still get a free federal return and pay $9.95 per state.
IRS Free File offer
Prepare, Print and E-File your return for FREE if you do not qualify: Your Federal return is free and each state tax return is just $9.95!!
IRS Free File
IRS Free File cannot process an earlier-year return.
After you submit
Please note you can only file your current year tax return using IRS Free File. You cannot process a prior year (aka back taxes, past-due) return using IRS Free File.
IRS Free File Fillable Forms available forms
The IRS’s available-forms list for Fillable Forms lists Form 1040 but not Form 1040-NR.
Forms available for filing season 2026 (tax year 2025)
Forms available for filing season 2026 (tax year 2025) Form 1040 | U.S. Individual Income Tax Return - Known Limitations
FreeTaxUSA supported forms
FreeTaxUSA expressly excludes Form 1040-NR, despite advertising free federal filing generally.
Items not supported
Items not supported Nonresident alien returns (Form 1040NR)
Instructions for Form W-7
A person receiving a new ITIN this year must use the paper-return process for that year.
When To Apply
You can’t electronically file (e-file) a return using an ITIN in the calendar year the ITIN is assigned. Once your ITIN is assigned, you can e-file returns in the following years.
Instructions for Form W-7
This is the required IRS mailing destination when Form W-7 is attached to a return.
Where To Apply — By mail
Mail Form W-7, your tax return (if applicable) or other documents required by an exception, and the documentation described under Supporting Documentation Requirements, earlier, to: Internal Revenue Service ITIN Operation P.O. Box 149342 Austin, TX 78714-9342. If you mail your application, don’t use the mailing address in the instructions for your tax return (for example, Form 1040-NR).
2025 Instructions for Form 1040-NR
The Form 1040-NR instructions set different regular deadlines depending on whether the filer received wages subject to U.S. withholding.
When To File — Individuals
If you were an employee and received wages subject to U.S. income tax withholding, file Form 1040-NR by the 15th day of the 4th month after your tax year ends. A return for the 2025 calendar year is due by April 15, 2026. If you didn’t receive wages as an employee subject to U.S. income tax withholding, file Form 1040-NR by the 15th day of the 6th month after your tax year ends. A return for the 2025 calendar year is due by June 15, 2026.
2025 Form 4868
A timely Form 4868 gives a Form 1040-NR filer six additional months to file.
Purpose of Form; Form 1040-NR filers
Use Form 4868 to apply for 6 more months (4 if “out of the country” (defined later under Taxpayers who are out of the country) and a U.S. citizen or resident) to file Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, or 1040-SS. If you can’t file your return by the due date, you should file Form 4868. You must file Form 4868 by the due date of the return.
These are the official rules and provider terms published on the cited dates; tax rules, software support, and prices can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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