This article is for information only and is not tax advice.
Sprintax Returns asks if you were a U.S. citizen on the last day of 2026, which is December 31, 2026. You can be a U.S. citizen by birth or by naturalization. The answer helps Sprintax Returns find your tax residency status.
What is the difference between citizenship by birth and by naturalization?
By birth: You were a U.S. citizen from the day you were born.
By naturalization: You were born outside the U.S. and became a U.S. citizen later, through the naturalization process.
When do I answer Yes?
Answer Yes if you were a U.S. citizen, by birth or by naturalization, on December 31, 2026. This includes people who became citizens during 2026 and who held citizenship on that date.
When do I answer No?
Answer No if you were not a U.S. citizen on December 31, 2026. A green card, a visa, or a long stay in the U.S. does not make you a citizen. If you hold a green card, answer No to this question.
What happens if I answer Yes?
If you were a U.S. citizen on the last day of 2026, you are generally treated as a resident for tax purposes. You cannot continue with Sprintax Returns. Sprintax Returns prepares tax returns for nonresidents only.
U.S. citizens file a resident tax return, Form 1040. The IRS taxes U.S. citizens on income from all sources worldwide, wherever they live.
What should I do if I am a U.S. citizen?
Do not enter your information in Sprintax Returns.
Choose a tax filing option that prepares resident returns on Form 1040. Sprintax directs residents to TurboTax, or you can use other software for resident returns.
Enter your income documents in the software that you choose. Sprintax cannot transfer your data, so you enter it again.
What if I think I answered the question incorrectly?
Go back to the question and answer it again. Check your citizenship status on December 31, 2026. Your passport or your naturalization certificate shows your status.
What are the key facts about the U.S. citizen question?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which date does the question ask about? | December 31, 2026, the last day of the tax year. |
| What counts as U.S. citizenship? | Citizenship by birth or by naturalization. |
| What is naturalization? | The process of becoming a U.S. citizen after you were born outside the U.S. |
| What happens if I answer Yes? | You are generally a resident for tax purposes. You cannot continue with Sprintax Returns. |
| Which return do U.S. citizens file? | A resident return, Form 1040. |
| Does Sprintax Returns prepare resident returns? | No. It prepares nonresident returns only. |
| Should a green card holder answer Yes? | No. A green card does not make you a citizen. |
| Can I move my Sprintax data to other software? | No. Enter your information again in the other software. |