Hey,
I am in my OPT ( after F1) at the moment and I just received my first paycheck on which the company deducted Medicare and Social Security. As of my knowledge I do not have to pay these two deductions. I did ask our company accountant... but she just told me that she is by law requierd to take these deductions. My question is how do get the money back? Or what do I do in the future in order not to pay Medicare and Social Security? Can I maybe claim it back at the end of the year with my tax return?
What do I need to do in my case?
Further I was wondering if the same laws apply as a holder of H1B?
Thanks for your reply.

GabiMouse:

Unless you have been in the U.S. for over five years, you are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. Download IRS Pub 519 from www.irs.gov and have the company accountant review it.

Be nice about it (no professional wants to be shown to be ignorant), but insist that you should not have to pay these taxes while on F-1 visa status.

Thank you very much for your reply. I guess in my situation I have to pay ( I am in my sixth year as of January).

Yes, the sixth year does make a difference.