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.

As previously answered, I do not have access to my California state tax software, so a California refund estimate will have to wait.

For the federal return, your refund will be about $1,000 if you are single.

Marital status?

I am single with no dependents. My friend introduced me to this tax professional and he told me that he could help me get a lot more out of Fed Tax. He referred to somewhere around 4000-5000. I wanted to ask you if at all it is possible.

It is possible if he breaks the law. More than likely, he will claim daily living expenses under the guise that your job is "temporary" in nature. The only problem is that, under the IRS definition of temporary, your job is NOT temporary in nature, because it is longer than ONE year in one location.

Wow, I don't intend to break any laws. But if this ever happens, will there be any repercussions. I mean, will there be any legal trouble I may face ever.
If I ever file for my green card, will I have any trouble. Thank you very much for your updates, it has been very helpful.

Initially, you probably will get away with it, as the IRS does NOT review every tax return that comes in. The sheer volume of the tax returns being filed makes individual review of each return impossible.

However, when you apply for the green card, the USCIS specifically asks if you have been paying taxes and if you filed accurate tax returns, and then they ask the IRS to review your past years' tax returns as part of the Green Card process.

THAT is when the IRS will figure out you filed incorrectly, and then they will come after you for the added tax, PLUS penalties, PLUS interest.

The penalties and interest can EASILY double or even triple the tax due.

PLUS it may adversely affect your Green Card application.

All things considered, it is NOT worth it!