Hi,
I am an international student did my MS in NY. When I was in school I got a full time job in Oklahoma and I started working on CPT [ curriculum practice training] from March 2009 to September 2009. Then I graduated in September and I am working on OPT [optional practice training] since then. And now it's the tax time and I have some much confusion about filing my taxes. My friends told me that since I worked on CPT and OPT in the same tax year [2009] I will get the full federal tax refund and a part of state tax refund. My salary is $4400/month and after taxes I get $3592. Please tell me how to file my taxes and how much money can I get as a refund. Thank you.

You are exempt from FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes for both the CPT and OPT period, but you ARE liable for federal and state income taxes.

You can deduct the moving expenses if you meet the time criteria, which is deductible on the federal and probably state return.

The details as to how much you will get back depends on how much was withheld for state and federal return; need the specifics.

Thank you so much for your reply. Federal Withheld is $6452 and state withheld is $2049. How much returns can I expect?

I assume you are Indian and thus can claim the $5,700 standard deduction. My calculation show your annual income to be $44,000.

Your federal refund is just under $1,600.

Your state refund estimate requires I use my tax software, which is NOT available to me at this time.

Thank you so much for you valuable help.

Glad to help!

Hi I have a question... My Tax guy says I can expect the complete return for Federal. My earned income is $45000 and the fedaral withheld was $7200 and state withheld was $2268 and I got a return of $990 from state and 7200 from Federal is it even possible to expect this amount?

I claimed my brother as a dependent and his tution was 7500 + living expenses of around 300 permonth, I also claimed moving expenses of around 1500 and Travel to india expenses around 5000 + Laptop purchase of 1500.

I am very skeptical about my returns. Please advice. I don't want to be audited!!

You have reason to be skeptical.

Unless the travel for India was business-related, those costs are NOT deductible.

The laptop costs may be deductible, but only as an employee business expense, which will be restricted because it is an itemized deduction.

If you and your brother are BOTH residents of the U.S. you MAY be able to claim him as a dependent. If not, then you cannot claim him.

Even WITH these deductions, the tax math does NOT support a full refund. I would have to review the return itself to determine HOW he came up with a full refund and if it was valid.

Contact me at [email protected] if you want me to review the return.

I had a IL state tax deduction of $410 on my CPT. How much can I expect back?

Oh, for goodness sake's, be serious!

There is NO WAY I can do a refund estimate with that information! Your post is the equivalent of saying "WHY?" and expecting a serious answer!

Hi

I am on CPT until December 2011. The would move into my OPT from December 17th itself. My employment authorization is OPT/CPT. I am an Indian and can make use of the India US taxt treaty too. This is my first paycheck ever for 15 days.

My annual pay is 65000. I just got my first paycheck for 15 days.
Total Gross Pay= 2708 ad the deductions are as shown below.

CASDI-E = 32
FITW S/1 = 449
CA S/1 = 150
Total withholding = 655 for 15days.

Considering this, I think, the withholding individually for an year will be,

Federal = 10776
CA S/1 = 1800
CASDI-E = 384
Total = 12996

How much would mu Federal and State tax returns be. I mean for the year 2011 filing in the year 2012. Please help. I need to plan my budget.

I do not have access to my California tax software, so I cannot calculate the California refund.

Assuming you are single, your federal refund will be about $1,000.

Hi I just graduated from Michigan and I got a jop in Ohio i.e I am on OPT. I am getting around $4400 per month. Please help as how much Federal tax and state tax in should be paying and how much I can expect back in Tax return.
Right now my company is charging around $1100 as Tax per month .

Thanks

Hopefully, your employer is NOT withholding FICA (Social Security and medicare) taxes, because, as a student under the F-1 visa, you are exempt from FICA taxes.

With that said, the withholding seems to be about right. You ARE liable for both federal and state INCOME taxes.

When it comes time to file in January, email me at [email protected].

Thanks for your repley and please tell me how much Federal tax should go for OPT students in Ohio.And Is Federal tax % changes with State to state.

Hi can you please let me know the tax returns that I can expect for this year.On an average my Gross would be $60583.33 and my FED WH would be $7761.84 and my State would be $3651.253.

SunDeep:

I need to know:

- What country you are from?
- Your visa status?
- Your marital status?
- If married, children?

Country: Indian
visa status : F-1(OPT)
Location : Ohio
Marital Status : Single.

You OWE $1,137 to the IRS, but are due a $1,849 refund from Ohio.

Hi I am teaching assistant in F1 visa. I have been wronly filing tax returns since 5 years. Now I have done my PHD. Will this act affect me to get PR? What would be the best solution for me

You will need to amend the returns; you may or may not owe money, depending on your home country and your personal situation.

Email the details at the email address in my profile (if you cannot see it below) and I will evaluate your case in more detail.

I am OPT student who came to US in 2009 from India. My federal withheld is $9968 and wages are $64500. So, how much I can expect back in my tax refund ? And which tax form I needs to file ?

I don't have any other type of income. Only W-2 income as I mentioned.

You will receive a small refund of $244, because Indian studenta are allowed to claim the standard deduction.

Hi,
I worked under CPT from 1/1/12 to 8/15/12. I married a US citizen and got my employment authorization on 11/13/12 (K-3 visa). I became a permanent resident (green card) in Jan, 2013. So, I was a NRA all through 2012.
I am married, but filed separately this time. I filed 1040 NR-EZ, 8843, 843 and 8316. I claimed exemption for Medicare and SS taxes till 8/15/12 (while I worked under CPT).
I am from India and I deducted $5950 on line 11 under the US-India tax treaty article 21 (2). Also the exemption for 1 person -$3800 on line 13. Am I on the right track? Please advice. Thank you!

Also, I would like to know if that is all we file for federal and state.

Hi,
I worked under CPT from 1/1/12 to 8/15/12. I married a US citizen and got my employment authorization on 11/13/12 (K-3 visa). I became a permanent resident (green card) in Jan, 2013. So, I was a NRA all through 2012.
I am married, but filed separately this time. I filed 1040 NR-EZ, 8843, 843 and 8316. I claimed exemption for Medicare and SS taxes till 8/15/12 (while I worked under CPT).
I am from India and I deducted $5950 on line 11 under the US-India tax treaty article 21 (2). Also the exemption for 1 person -$3800 on line 13. Am I on the right track? Please advice. Thank you!

Also, I would like to know if that is all we file for both federal and state. Thanks!

You got it right for the federal return.

I cannot say for the state return because you did not identify the state.

You got it right for the federal return.

I cannot say for the state return because you did not identify the state.

The state is Georgia

The Georgia calculations are different than the federal, with a $3,000 standard deduction and a $2,700 personal exemption (children's exemptions are $3,000).

The Georgia calculations are different than the federal, with a $3,000 standard deduction and a $2,700 personal exemption (children's exemptions are $3,000).

What forms do I need for this?

GA Form 500 is the form to file

GA Form 500 is the form to file

Thank you so much!

Glad to help!

Hi,
I am an international student and I started working on CPT [ curriculum practice training] from December 2011 to February 2013. Currently I am not working. I have so much confusion about filing my taxes and refunds. My tax person told me that since my income exceeded beyond 60,000 , I am not eligible to get the refund back.
My employer was deducting below from my pay check.
Federal Withholding -
CA - Withholding -
CA - Disability Employee

The total deduction of all 3 taxes is now above 20,000.
My salary was $4500/month and after tax deduction I was getting $3700.
Can you please tell me how much refund I will get back?
I am very much concerned about my refund as 20,000 is a huge amount .

Here are my details:
Visa: F1
State: California

Thank You

Based on the monthly $4,500 salary ($54,000 anually), your federal tax liability is about $7,200 and your California tax liability is about $2,220.

If more than that was withheld for federal and state withholding, you are due refunds.

Hello

Thanks for the reply.
I forget to mention one more thing.

Since I am single , does it make a difference related to my tax refund?
Also, if I am due refund, then how much I will get ?

Thanks

The tax calculations assumed you were single.

The amount of the refund depends on how the withholdings are distributed between state and federal taxes.

Going to highjack for a moment - "Atlantataxexpert," why were such high taxes taken out? $20,000 when she owes about $11,000?

Any thoughts?

Judy,

You ARE correct; $20K IS a large withholding amount.

If the OP claimed ZERO allowances with SINGLE status on both the W-4 and the California equivalent form, I suppose the withholding could approach $20,000, but that IS unusual.

Hello

Thanks Judy for picking up a point.

Moreover, on top of all this my tax person asked me to send a check of $755 to US treasury.

Really worried about my hard earned money.

Thanks

Given the information provided, paying $755 sounds about right.

Given the information provided, paying $755 sounds about right.


Thank you "AtlantaTaxExpert" for your input and answering my questions.

Glad to help.

Hey AtlantaTaxExpert,

My name is Ishaan. I am from India. I just started my CPT in the month of July and I got my first week salary yesterday. I'm new to the tax system here so I have to clarify some points on what to expect in returns and what am I exempted from.
My hourly wage is $27
I worked for 31.5 hrs in week 1 and was accordingly eligible to be paid $850.50 for the week. My tax payment was 196.30 (Fed W/H - $90; MA Tax - $41.24; MED - $12.33; SOC - $52.73). I'm a single person.
I would like to know what refunds will I get? Also currently it looks as if I'm charged 23% in taxes. Is that the right figure?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Best,
Ishaan

The MED is Medicare, and SOC is Social security, and, as an international student on F-1 status, you should NOT be paying Medicare and Social Security (also know as FICA) taxes.

This is explained in page 42-43 of the IRS Pub 519 for 2012, which can be downloaded from Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov).

@AtlantaTaxExpert: I am in same situation as ishaan, I am a F-1 graduate student from Vietnam, I am single, no dependence, I am in US < 5 years and doing CPT now, after received the first paycheck (with all of those taxes included as ishaan) I read over the internet and knowing I am free of Medicare and Social Security (also know as FICA) taxes for the first 5 years. I told my employer about it but they seem like doesn't understand what I said and tell me I have to pay those taxes and maybe can get refund on next tax-time.
The second the third paycheck were direct deposit on my bank acc so I don't know how much exactly for each kind of tax, I calculate the total percentage of tax in my most recent paycheck (third one) and it is about 23%, is it accurate % tax I have to pay? Should I give my employer anything to proof that I am free of Medicare + SNN taxes or I can get them returned (if so what form should I file)?

Thank you for your expert advices.

Download IRS Pub 519 from Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov), and print off pages 42 and 43. Those extracts explains in detail that international students who are non-resident aliens are NOT subject to FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes.

Once that is clear to them, they should refund the FICA taxes withheld to date, and stop withholding from future checks.

Download IRS Pub 519 from Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov), and print off pages 42 and 43. Those extracts explains in detail that international students who are non-resident aliens are NOT subject to FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes.

Once that is clear to them, they should refund the FICA taxes withheld to date, and stop withholding from future checks.

Thank you so much!
One more question, I started doing my internship (CPT) 2 months ago, I have been in US for 4 years as F-1 student, never worked before this internship so I have no income, I've never filed any tax forms whatsoever, am I still OK, do I own IRS anything?

Yes, you are okay. You will probably have to file a non-resident tax return (Form 1040NR) for 2013 next January.

Also, even if you do NOT file a tax return, you should have been filing Form 8843. If you have not, get the form for each year from Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov) and submit the forms late, which is better than never.

Yes, you are okay. You will probably have to file a non-resident tax return (Form 1040NR) for 2013 next January.

Also, even if you do NOT file a tax return, you should have been filing Form 8843. If you have not, get the form for each year from Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov) and submit the forms late, which is better than never.

AtlantaTaxExpert!
Thank you very much for your help!
Could you help me to clear one thing: what are these forms I need to fill when I doing the CPT - internship and give to my employer? The only form I remembered that I filled in the beginning day was W-4 form. Am I missing any form? (from last post if you forgot: I am a F-1 graduate student from Vietnam, I am single, no dependence, I am in US < 5 years and have been doing CPT for 3 months)

No, you are fine, because if you completed a Forn W-4, you will get a Form W-2 in from the employer.

Check your paystub and make sure you are NOT paying FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes, because as an international student on a F-1 visa, you are EXEMPT from those taxes.

No, you are fine, because if you completed a Forn W-4, you will get a Form W-2 in from the employer.

Check your paystub and make sure you are NOT paying FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes, because as an international student on a F-1 visa, you are EXEMPT from those taxes.

Thank you very much for your help!
So I told my employer about the FICA taxes and I just got the check yesterday WITHOUT any taxes withheld. I told them that I still have to pay the Federal + State +... (other than FICA taxes) is there any problem?
Earlier today they gave me the W-9 form and told me to fill-out and give to them. What is form W-9 and why do they need it?

They may have just converted you to independent contractor status, which is okay tax-wise. You should complete Form W-8ben instead of Form W-9.

Put about 20% aside from each paycheck so you have the money to pay the tax when you file next year.

They may have just converted you to independent contractor status, which is okay tax-wise. You should complete Form W-8ben instead of Form W-9.

Put about 20% aside from each paycheck so you have the money to pay the tax when you file next year.

Thanks for your input!
I will not fill the W-9 (I think I am not allowed to be an independent contractor) but do I really need to fill the W-8BEN? I filled the W-4 form, is that enough for my employer?
My employer seems like doesn't understand the point that "I am exempt from FICA taxes", they confused and I am confused too. I really don't want to give them any difficulties at all, as it is also not good for me. What is the best option for me now about this tax issue. (I got totally 4 paychecks from them, the first 3 ones FICA was withheld along with other taxes, the latest one I got several days ago (fourth one) - NO ANY TAXES was withheld, but I still have not cash it yet as I aware of something wrong) should I return them that paycheck and tell them just withhold all of taxes as I did before for this pay-time and all future pay-times, and (can) I got them (FICA taxes) returned on next tax season?
Also do you have email address so we can communicate quicker?

Thanks a lot!

Download IRS Pub 519 from Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov). On pages 42-44, it explains in detail that students like yourself are exempt from FICA taxes.

I can email you the PDF of IRS Pub 519. My email address is in my profile.

Hi,

I am currently an on F-1 and worked under OPT this whole year. My salary this year was $60,000 and my current Fed with holding is $5300 and state is $1700. How much refund can I expect for this year.

Thank you.

Right now I'm on OPT.My total salary and bonus is $72,000 and I paid 11,000 federal tax and 3200 West Virginia state tax. Can you please let me know how much refund I can expect.

SamPathKeth:

Assuming you are an Indian citizen and you are SINGLE, you have NOT withheld enough money to pay all of your federal income tax liability. You will OWE the IRS $3,181, which includes a $46 penalty for under-withholding.

You need to identify the state before I can do a state tax refund estimate.

TimeLineRequest:

Also assuming you are an Indian citizen and are SINGLE, you also have not withheld enough to pay your federal tax liability. However, you only owe $435 to the IRS, so there is NO under-withholding penalty.

For West Virginia, you OWE $227.

In both cases, this is virtually the IDEAL result, because ANY refund is a, INTEREST-FREE LOAN to the government, yet what you owe is low enough for you to pay with reasonable ease and with NO penalty by 15 April 2014.

Hi,

My salary is $42,640 and I started working in February 18, 2013. I work in Louisiana. I am NOT Indian but from Ecuador. Single, no dependents. Federeal Tax withheld was $3349.88 and state was $953.07.

Can you please help me estimate return/owed tax?

Thanks in advance!

Ingecuadar:

Like the earlier posters, you too will owe the IRS money in the amount of $2,053, which includes a $30 under-payment penalty.

You also owe Louisiana $202.

If you need professional help filing, please email me at the email address in my profile.

You will need to file Forms 1040NR-EZ and 8843 for the FEDERAL return and the state tax return for whichever state where you WORKED in the summer.

You will get at least $1,488 frm the IRS if this was your only income. To be more precise, I need to know your home country.

For the state refund, I need to know the state.

If you want my professional help filing these returns, please email me at the email address in my profile.

I am from the Philippines, single, and no dependents. I started working as an OPT on January 2013 and ended October 2013. I worked in New Jersey. This was my very first work and only source of income at that time. My total wage: $44,241.01 Federal income tax withheld $7,418.07 SS tax withheld: $2,742.94 Medicare Tax withheld: $641.49 State Income Tax: 1,416.76. I am wondering if I will owe or get a tax return from the IRS and the state.

Thank you so much in advance!

Already answered via email.