Do Non-U.S. Citizens Pay Taxes on Money Earned Through a U.S. Internet Broker?

Do Non-U.S. Citizens Living Abroad Pay Taxes on Money Earned Through a U.S. Internet Broker?

It depends. The tax implications for a foreign investor will depend on whether that person is classified as a resident alien or nonresident alien by the U.S. government. A person must meet several guidelines to be considered a nonresident alien.

The tax rates can vary depending on the type of investment for nonresident aliens. For example, investments in the U.S. are not subject to capital gains taxes, but they will be taxed in your home country. However, certain nonresident aliens—nonresident alien students, scholars, and employees of foreign governments and international organizations—who are in the U.S. for more than 183 days during the taxable year are subject to a 30% capital gains tax—assuming that their tax home has shifted to the U.S.

On the other hand, dividend income is subject to taxes if the income is from a U.S. company. Resident aliens are typically subject to the same tax laws as U.S. citizens.

Understanding Nonresident vs. Resident Alien Status

Non–U.S. citizens are typically classified as nonresident aliens if they're a noncitizen who is exempt or hasn't passed the Green Card or substantial presence tests. Examples of nonresident aliens include students, teachers, and those seeking medical treatment in the U.S. Nonresident aliens cannot have had a green card at any time during the relevant tax reporting period. Also, they cannot have resided in the U.S. for more than 183 days in the past three years, including the current reporting period.

Conversely, non–U.S. citizens who hold green cards and have been in the U.S. for at least 31 days during the current year—and more than 183 days in the past three years—are classified as resident aliens for tax purposes and are subject to different guidelines than nonresident aliens.

If You're a Nonresident Alien

If you fall under the nonresident alien category and the only business you have in the U.S. is investments–such as stocks, mutual funds, and commodities–held with a U.S. dollar–denominated brokerage firm or other agent, you are subject to the following tax guidelines.

Capital Gains

Nonresident aliens are subject to no U.S. capital gains tax, and no money will be withheld by the brokerage firm. However, this does not mean that you can trade tax-free. You will likely need to pay capital gains tax in your country of origin.

Note that certain nonresident aliens—including nonresident alien students, scholars, and employees of foreign governments and international organizations—are subject to 30% capital gains tax if they are in the U.S. for more than 183 days, but only if their tax home has also shifted to the U.S.

Dividends

Nonresident aliens are subject to a dividend tax rate of 30% on dividends paid out by U.S. companies. However, they are excluded from this tax if the dividends are paid by foreign companies or are interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends. The 30% tax rate can also be lower depending on the treaty between your home country and the U.S. As a result, it's important that you contact your brokerage firm to verify the rate.

If You're a Resident Alien

If you are a resident alien and hold a green card—or satisfy the resident rules (183 days)—you are subject to the same tax rules as a U.S. citizen.

In other words, the long-term capital gains tax is applied to the profits from the sale of investments that have been owned for longer than one year. The current tax rates are 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your individual tax bracket.

Investments that have been owned for less than one year are subject to short-term capital gains taxes, which is the same tax rate as your ordinary income tax rate. The amount of tax will depend on your total annual income and the resulting marginal tax bracket. The capital gains tax only applies to investments that have been sold within the tax year, meaning a gain was realized. Investments that have appreciated in value but have not been sold are not subject to taxes.

It's important to note that capital gains can be reduced by subtracting realized investment losses–called capital losses. A loss occurs when a taxable investment is sold for less than the initial purchase price–called the cost basis. As a result, only the net difference between the gains and losses is taxed, which called the net capital gains.

Please consult a tax professional before selling any investment since your individual tax treatment might be different than what was outlined above.

Correction—April 25, 2022: This article previously misrepresented that if nonresident aliens spend less than 183 days in the United States they will not owe capital gains taxes.