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    jrao124's Avatar
    jrao124 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 6, 2006, 09:33 AM
    Social security refund
    Hello,

    My husband and I are citizens of India. We've been green card holders for 2+ yrs now. If we decide to go back to India next year, essentially giving up our green cards, can we get a refund of the social security amount (the principal we have been paying) when we go back? We should be completing 40 credits soon.

    Thanks in advance for the help.

    J Rao
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #2

    Oct 6, 2006, 11:12 AM
    J Rao:

    There are NO refunds of Social Security and Medicare taxes for those who are legally liable to pay them (like you and me).

    Sorry
    jrao124's Avatar
    jrao124 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Oct 7, 2006, 08:43 AM
    Hello,

    Thanks for your reply.

    I was also wondering about another related question.

    We are on green cards. If we go back to India in a few months (after completing 40 credits) without getting a citizenship, essentially giving up our green cards, can we receive SS payments in India when we are of eligible age? The information available on the web is very confusing on this point.

    Thanks again
    J Rao
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #4

    Oct 7, 2006, 08:59 AM
    You have to pay Social Security taxes for ten years to qualify for a SS pension.

    If you have done so,then, yes, In my opinion, you will qualify for a pension regardless of where you live in the world.
    jrao124's Avatar
    jrao124 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Oct 7, 2006, 09:45 AM
    Once again, thanks.

    If one has no legal status in the US , then in 20-25 yrs or so, when we qualify to get the SS pension, how do we go about applying for it from India?

    J Rao
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #6

    Oct 7, 2006, 08:16 PM
    Contact the Social Security Administration to confirm what I told you and to find out how to apply for benefits from India.
    LUNAGODDESS's Avatar
    LUNAGODDESS Posts: 467, Reputation: 40
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    #7

    Oct 7, 2006, 08:23 PM
    The social security does not give out refunds for if you are an H1B or on any other visa... social security is not taken out of your check... things do happen... but the norm is SS and Medicare are not taken out of the checks of
    H1B's or anyone on a visa...
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #8

    Oct 8, 2006, 05:23 PM
    LunaGoddess:

    Sorry, your information is NOT accurate. Holders of L-1, H-1 and H-1B visas MUST pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.

    In most cases, F-1 and J-1 visaholders do NOT pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.

    Check out IRS Pub 915 for verification.
    jrao124's Avatar
    jrao124 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #9

    Oct 10, 2006, 06:55 AM
    Thanks, Atlanta Tax Expert, for your help.

    I will go to the SS office and get more info.

    J Rao
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #10

    Oct 10, 2006, 02:36 PM
    Glad to help!
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