Hello, Could someone please advice my situation:

I came to US under F1 visa to pursue undergrad from Fall 2001 - Spring 2005, then continue on grad school, under F1 again, from Fall 2005-Winter 2007.

I begin my first job under OPT from January 2008 - October 2008, and continue the same job until today under H1-B which came into effect on and after October 2008.

In my first job (which commence since Jan 2008), I have social security and medicare taxes taken out of my paychecks every two weeks.

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My questions:

1) I understand one, as a non-resident, is eligible to claim back social security deductions taken from his/her paycheck while working under OPT.
Considering my situation, am I eligible to claim back my ss deductions too?

2) Can one claim back the medicare deductions taken out while working as OPT?

3) Is there any way one can be exempted from paying social security or medicare taxes while working as H1-B? I hold a Malaysian passport.

4) Is it true that one can claim back the social security money after working for 10 years in the US? What are the eligibility requirements to claim back ------ must be of 65 yrs of age and also as a Green Card or US Passport holder?


Please advice. Thanks

From 2006, you must file resident tax return. So for 2006 onwards your income is subject to FICA taxes.
If you want refund of FICA taxes for 2005 return file Form 843 by April 15, 2009. For previous years you will not get any refund.
Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: The U.S. Visas (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/08/us-visas.html)