Hello,

I am student and currently working on CPT for a consultancy and I paid $2801---fed tax, $1287... Social Security tax, $301.. Medicare tax, $903.. State tax, now I am planning to file for my 2009 taxes and I was told that I can claim full Social Security tax and Medicare tax.. Is that true? And How much I can claim from federal and state tax?

My Earnings for 2009 was $20,759

Please advice me on this... thanks in advance... Amala

On F1/OPT/CPT you are exempt from residency for 5-years. You must file non-resident tax return Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ and Form 8843. Your income is not subject to FICA taxes. Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Tax Filing Requirements for Non-Residents (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-tax-filing-requirements-for-non.html)

You could have asked the employer to stop withholding FICA taxes. Still send them an email about refund of these taxes. You can attach a copy of page 50-51 of IRS Publication 519: Tax for Aliens.  (Read Social Security and Medicare Tax-- Students and Exchange Visitors.

If your employer does not refund FICA taxes, file your tax return. Then after about a month, file Form 843. It is filed separately with other required documents.