[kalyanr]

Hi,
I am an international student did my MS in NY. When I was in school I got a full time job in Oklahoma and I started working on CPT [ curriculum practice training] from March 2009 to September 2009. Then I graduated in September and I am working on OPT [optional practice training] since then. And now it's the tax time and I have some much confusion about filing my taxes. My friends told me that since I worked on CPT and OPT in the same tax year [2009] I will get the full federal tax refund and a part of state tax refund. My salary is $4400/month and after taxes I get $3592. Please tell me how to file my taxes and how much money can I get as a refund. Thank you.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

You are exempt from FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes for both the CPT and OPT period, but you ARE liable for federal and state income taxes.

You can deduct the moving expenses if you meet the time criteria, which is deductible on the federal and probably state return.

The details as to how much you will get back depends on how much was withheld for state and federal return; need the specifics.

[kalyanr]

Thank you so much for your reply. Federal Withheld is $6452 and state withheld is $2049. How much returns can I expect?

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

I assume you are Indian and thus can claim the $5,700 standard deduction. My calculation show your annual income to be $44,000.

Your federal refund is just under $1,600.

Your state refund estimate requires I use my tax software, which is NOT available to me at this time.

[kalyanr]

Thank you so much for you valuable help.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Glad to help!

[harsha45]

Hi I have a question... My Tax guy says I can expect the complete return for Federal. My earned income is $45000 and the fedaral withheld was $7200 and state withheld was $2268 and I got a return of $990 from state and 7200 from Federal is it even possible to expect this amount?

I claimed my brother as a dependent and his tution was 7500 + living expenses of around 300 permonth, I also claimed moving expenses of around 1500 and Travel to india expenses around 5000 + Laptop purchase of 1500.

I am very skeptical about my returns. Please advice. I don't want to be audited!!

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

You have reason to be skeptical.

Unless the travel for India was business-related, those costs are NOT deductible.

The laptop costs may be deductible, but only as an employee business expense, which will be restricted because it is an itemized deduction.

If you and your brother are BOTH residents of the U.S. you MAY be able to claim him as a dependent. If not, then you cannot claim him.

Even WITH these deductions, the tax math does NOT support a full refund. I would have to review the return itself to determine HOW he came up with a full refund and if it was valid.

Contact me at [email protected] if you want me to review the return.

[harahs]

I had a IL state tax deduction of $410 on my CPT. How much can I expect back?

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Oh, for goodness sake's, be serious!

There is NO WAY I can do a refund estimate with that information! Your post is the equivalent of saying "WHY?" and expecting a serious answer!

[pradeepsreddy1]

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.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

I do not have access to my California tax software, so I cannot calculate the California refund.

Assuming you are single, your federal refund will be about $1,000.

[akki1214]

Hi I just graduated from Michigan and I got a jop in Ohio i.e I am on OPT. I am getting around $4400 per month. Please help as how much Federal tax and state tax in should be paying and how much I can expect back in Tax return.
Right now my company is charging around $1100 as Tax per month .

Thanks

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Hopefully, your employer is NOT withholding FICA (Social Security and medicare) taxes, because, as a student under the F-1 visa, you are exempt from FICA taxes.

With that said, the withholding seems to be about right. You ARE liable for both federal and state INCOME taxes.

When it comes time to file in January, email me at [email protected].

[akki1213]

Thanks for your repley and please tell me how much Federal tax should go for OPT students in Ohio.And Is Federal tax % changes with State to state.

[sundeep466]

Hi can you please let me know the tax returns that I can expect for this year.On an average my Gross would be $60583.33 and my FED WH would be $7761.84 and my State would be $3651.253.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

SunDeep:

I need to know:

- What country you are from?
- Your visa status?
- Your marital status?
- If married, children?

[sundeep466]

Country: Indian
visa status : F-1(OPT)
Location : Ohio
Marital Status : Single.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

You OWE $1,137 to the IRS, but are due a $1,849 refund from Ohio.

[arjuno]

Hi I am teaching assistant in F1 visa. I have been wronly filing tax returns since 5 years. Now I have done my PHD. Will this act affect me to get PR? What would be the best solution for me