[tomkovoor]

Hi. I was a student on my OPT from Jan 2006 to Jan 2007. I was employed full time in May 2006 but my status changed to H1B only in Jan 2007. My question is when I file for taxes for the year 2006 can I use the standard deducation for Indian citizen since I was on OPT at that time or would it be only my state and local taxes. Also my employee collected social security and medicare taxes during that time. Can I claim a refund on this?

Thanks
Tom

[taxsearcher]

Tom, you don't say how long you have been in the US on F1 status, but assuming less than 5 years, you should be able to claim a FICA refund. You should be able to claim the India-US treaty to help you out with the standard deduction.

[tomkovoor]

Hi. I was a student on my OPT from Jan 2006 to Jan 2007. I was employed full time in May 2006 but my status changed to H1B only in Jan 2007. My question is when I file for taxes for the year 2006 can I use the standard deducation for Indian citizen since I was on OPT at that time or would it be only my state and local taxes. Also my employee collected social security and medicare taxes during that time. Can I claim a refund on this?

Thanks
Tom

Which form would I need to fill out. Would it be the 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ for the federal taxes

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Probably Form 1040NR-EZ.

However, if you incurred moving expenses in 2006 when you started your OPT, you will need to file Form 1040NR to be able to attach Form 3903 to claim those moving expenses.

[tomkovoor]

Other than the W2 and the tax forms what other documents do I need to send like copy of visa or copy of I94.

Thanks
Tom

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Tom:

No, a copy of your visa or I-94 is NOT required; the Form 1040NR and 1040NR-EZ has pages that ask about your visa information.