Hi, I am from China. My original visa status is H4 (it is my first entry into USA) . Now I find a job. The university sponsored me to change my visa from H4 to J1 to allow me to work in USA. So now I am J1 visa holder. I wanto to ask am I eligible for tax exemption (I mean local tax, I think I have to pay federal tax) from my income for the first three years?

All my friends who are J1 holders didn't pay local tax, but they all entry in USA in the status of J1, which is different from me. I am wondering whether changing status from H4 to J1 will affect my benefit of tax?

I am really worrying about that. Please help me. I will really appreciate it!

Thank you very much!

I am not aware of such a local tax exemption, but that would depend on the law in whatever locality you are in (You didn't indicate where you are.)

Hi, thank you very much for your reply! I live and work in Rhode Island.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AK lawyer

I am not aware of such a local tax exemption, but that would depend on the law in whatever locality you are in (You didn't indicate where you are.)

---

I am looking forward to your reply! Thank you very much!

You said "local tax". Do you mean county or city, and which city or county? And do you mean income tax, property tax, sales tax, or what?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AK lawyer

You said "local tax". Do you mean county or city, and which city or county? And do you mean income tax, property tax, sales tax, or what?

---

Hi, local tax means tax for State, in my case, it will be Rhode Island. I also don't know whether I should pay tax for country (federal tax). In addition, I mean income (salary) tax. Thank you very much!

So you are saying that "All [your] friends who are J1 holders didn't pay" the Rhode Island Personal Income Tax. Here are the regulations. I don''t see any such exemption.