Hello,

1. I'm J-1 visa holder (research fellowship). I know that I can exempt all taxes for 2 years. If I work in US longer than 2 years, how's about tax ? Do I have to pay tax for the past two years ? Or I just start paying tax on since the third year?

2. In case I change to F-1 student visa within the first two years, Can I exempt tax for the first two year as J-1 status and more 5 years as F-1 student visa status?

3. Is the 5 years of F-1 tax exempt subtracted with the two years of J-1 tax exempt? If yes, what will happen if I could not finish my degree within the rest three years?


Thank you in advance.

1) If you over-stay your 2-year period, you WILL be taxed retroactively for the money earned during the two-year period.

2-3) No. The J-1 period counts as if it was the first two years of your F-1. The tax exemption for the J-1 two-year period remains intact, however. You will lose your federal income tax exemption for the F-1 period.