I am J1 scholar. 2009 is my fourth year in U.S, so I am a resident now. I asked a volunteer from college of law to help me filling my tax return. She did that online and gave me several copies of the filled documents, including 1040, 8879, 740, 8453-K.

However, since I'm filling the tax return for 2008, for which year I am still exempt for all tax, I guess I may need to file form 8843--"statement for exempt individuals and individuals with a medical condition (for use by alien individuals only)". But this form (8843) was not filed by the girl who filed my tax return online.

My question is, do I still need to file form 8843, as I am J1 and still exempt for the tax year of 2008? Or, form 8843 is no longer necessary after I become a resident?

When did you originally arrive in the U.S. on this current J-1 visa?

What country are you from?

Thank you AtlantaTaxExpert, but I've already got the answer and also got my tax refund check.

I came here originally from China in 2006.

I went to college of law in our university to ask the question that I posted here. A girl told me that I have already been considered as a resident and don't need to file form 8843, which is for non-resident only.

That is what I expected to be the answer, but there ARE countries whose residencts can claim the exemption indefinitely.