Originally Posted by ken99
Thank you both for your help - I was able to file my taxes with a program called Cintax. This determined, as you quite rightly said, that I should not pay tax assuming I leave within 2 years. Thus my 1040NR-EZ included a request for a refund of the taxes withheld.
I spoke to the staff at my university in order for them to stop withholding my taxes, but it sounds like they're not competent enough to deal with this request (despite me printing out the tax treaty and showing it to them). To be honest, I've given up wasting my time with them, so I guess I'll just have to file for another refund next year.
One of you mentioned FICA taxes. The problem is, although I started work in Jan 07, I entered the US on my J1 visa in Nov 06. So they have determined that as of Jan 08, I should pay FICA taxes. So I never had US income in 06, but my presence here for one monthe means I have to pay the taxes - does this sound right to you?
Thanks again.