1. I am going to file for my social security and medicare refunds for tax year 2007 in 2009. I was wondering if I should file my tax returns for 2008 first and then file for the social security and medicare refunds for 2007 ?

2. I was on F1 OPT till Oct 1 2008 and then on H1 from Oct 1 to end of 2008. According to the residency test I am a non-resident alien for tax year 2008. I have some questions regarding this ---
- Do we need to differentiate our OPT income from H1 income while filing for taxes?
- What all deductions will apply to me? I am an individual who is an Indian citizen. I
Came here as a student in Aug, 2006.

1. You can file for refund of FICA taxes for 2007 even before filing return for 2008. Read about filing Form 843: Your U.S. Tax Return: Social Security and Medicare (FICA) Taxes for Non-resident Exempt Individual (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/non-resident-exempt-individual-social.html)

2. For 2008, file nonresident tax return. Add both OPT and H1-B incomes. You will get treaty deduction. Also file Form 8843.

1. You can file for refund of FICA taxes for 2007 even before file return for 2008. Read about filing Form 843: Your U.S. Tax Return: Social Security and Medicare (FICA) Taxes for Non-resident Exempt Individual (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/non-resident-exempt-individual-social.html)

2. For 2008, file nonresident tax return. Add both OPT and H1-B incomes. You will get treaty deduction. Also file Form 8843.

Thanks a lot for your response Mukta.
So it doesn't matter whether I send the refund for FICA taxes for 2007 before I file for my income taxes for 2008 or vice versa? This is a concern for me as I don't want any confusion at the IRS end in this regard. :confused:

Antgag:
Yes.

Antgag:

Since the FICA tax refund is for 2007, it really does not matter which one you do first, just as long as you filed as a non-resident alien for 2007.