Hello - I am currently on an E3 visa which is specific for Australian's. I have currently been working here since May. I was wondering if I get the social security and medicare refunded to me considering I will not be able to collect it. My visa is for a 2 year period. How do I go about doing my tax return here? I currently own a house here in the U.S with my partner - can I claim any of those expenses?

If all else fails does anyone know a good accountant specialising in foreigners in the Milwaukee area?

Thanks Helen

E3 visa is just like H-1B visa, and is given to Australians to avoid H-1B visa limit. H-1B visa holders are generally in the U.S. for six years and pay social security and medicare taxes while most of them will never get the benefits.
So I think (am not sure) that E3 visa holders will also file taxes as resident alien (Form 1040EZ/1040), pay taxes just like a U.S. citizen or resident and also pay social security and medicare taxes.

You WILL have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, and you probably will NOT qualify for benefits in the U.S.

However, under the totalization agreement with Australia, your tax payments will be credited to the equivalent program in Australia, so you are not getting totally screwed like those who have NO totalization agreement between their home country and the U.S.