Can a nonresident alien claim the standard deduction or am I limited to itemizing?

Most nonresident aliens filing Form 1040NR cannot claim the standard deduction and must itemize deductions instead, which often limits them to items like state taxes paid and certain charitable gifts. A notable exception exists for students and business apprentices from India under the U.S.–India tax treaty, who may claim the standard deduction. Resident aliens, by contrast, get the full standard deduction—$16,100 single or $32,200 married filing jointly for 2026—just like citizens. This difference is a major reason newcomers sometimes elect full-year resident treatment or file jointly with a resident spouse, since the deduction can substantially lower taxable income. If you're a nonresident with few itemizable expenses, your taxable income may be higher than you expect. Check whether a treaty provision or a residency election could open up a larger deduction for your situation.