Your own-money Robinhood prediction trades are not automatically an F-1 day-trading or work violation, but your campus wages and any taxable contract gains still need the right tax treatment.

Vol. 2, Pt. F, Ch. 6, A

F-1 status permits students with Designated School Official (DSO) approval to work at an on-campus job for up to 20 hours per week when school is in session.

Vol. 2, Pt. F, Ch. 6, B

An F-1 student must receive employment authorization and an EAD from USCIS before engaging in off-campus employment.

Vol. 7, Pt. B, Ch. 6

Unauthorized employment is any service or labor performed for an employer within the United States by an alien who is not authorized by the INA or USCIS to accept employment or who exceeds the scope or period of the alien’s employment authorization.

An event contract is a financial derivative based on a binary Yes/No outcome.

Have a valid Social Security Number (not a Taxpayer Identification Number)

Be a US citizen, US permanent resident, or have a valid US visa*

To trade event contracts on Robinhood, you need to be approved for a Robinhood Derivatives account.

State restriction: Maryland residents can't trade event contracts. Nevada residents can't open new sports contracts (as of December 1, 2025).

Robinhood doesn't provide a 1099 for event contract trades

The annual statement is not a substitute tax reporting form.

Ch. 1, Exempt Individual

You were referred to as an “exempt individual” because as a student temporarily in the United States on an “F” visa, you do not have to count the days you were present in the United States as a student during the first 5 years in determining if you are a resident alien under the substantial presence test.

Ch. 1, Exempt Individual

The term “exempt individual” does not refer to someone exempt from U.S. tax.

Exempt individual—student

If you qualify to exclude days of presence as a student, you must file a fully-completed Form 8843, Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition with the IRS.

General Instructions

If you are filing a 2025 Form 1040-NR, attach Form 8843 to it.

When and Where Should You File?

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.

§ 6072(a)

In the case of returns under section 6012, 6013, or 6017 (relating to income tax under subtitle A), returns made on the basis of the calendar year shall be filed on or before the 15th day of April following the close of the calendar year and returns made on the basis of a fiscal year shall be filed on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the close of the fiscal year, except as otherwise provided in the following subsections of this section.

Capital-gains taxation of nonresident students

The same rule applies to a foreign student or scholar visiting the United States in F, J, M, or Q nonimmigrant status whose presence in the U.S. equals or exceeds 183 days in any calendar year.

Capital-gains taxation of nonresident students

Gain or loss from the sale or exchange of personal property generally has its source in the U.S. if the nonresident has a tax home in the U.S.

Capital-gains taxation of nonresident students

Nonresident students and scholars and nonresident employees of foreign governments and international organizations who, at the time of their arrival in the U.S., intend to reside in the U.S. for longer than 1 year are subject to the 30 percent taxation on their capital gains during any tax year (usually calendar year) in which they are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more, unless a tax treaty provides for a lesser rate of taxation.

Resident aliens

If you are a resident alien, you must report all interest, dividends, wages, or other compensation for services, income from rental property or royalties, and other types of income on your U.S. tax return. You must report these amounts whether from sources within or outside the United States.

Resident filing requirements

You, as U.S. citizen or resident alien, must file a federal income tax return for any tax year in which your gross income is equal to or greater than the standard deduction.

RM 10211.420

DO NOT process an employment authorized Social Security number (SSN) application for a non-immigrant unless the alien submits the appropriate evidence showing employment authorization.