Hi,
I came to US in 2000-2001 for masters with J1 visa. I returned home for 3 years and came back to US in 2005 for PhD with F1 visa. I understand that students holding F1 or J1 are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes for the first 5 years. These 5 years are consecutive or I should count only those years that I was actually in United States?
I like to determine if I can exempt taxes on interest income or not.
Many thanks,
Clau

Clau:

You just started your fifth year for the F-1 exemption. You were a non-resident alien for 2005 and 2006, and will be for 2007. In 2008, you become a resident alien for tax purposes.

You are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. Any income earned IS subject to federal and state income taxes, however.