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-   -   Tax Refund for F1- student [ CPT and OPT] (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=435584)

  • Jan 15, 2010, 01:26 PM
    kalyanr
    Tax Refund for F1- student [ CPT and OPT]
    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.
  • Jan 17, 2010, 10:49 PM
    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.
  • Jan 18, 2010, 07:59 AM
    kalyanr

    Thank you so much for your reply. Federal Withheld is $6452 and state withheld is $2049. How much returns can I expect?
  • Jan 19, 2010, 09:15 AM
    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.
  • Jan 19, 2010, 10:32 AM
    kalyanr

    Thank you so much for you valuable help.
  • Jan 19, 2010, 12:35 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    Glad to help!
  • Apr 9, 2010, 02:55 PM
    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!!
  • May 7, 2010, 08:42 AM
    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.
  • Mar 7, 2011, 08:54 PM
    harahs
    I had a IL state tax deduction of $410 on my CPT. How much can I expect back?
  • Mar 8, 2011, 09:43 AM
    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!
  • Aug 16, 2011, 01:12 PM
    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.
  • Aug 16, 2011, 02:00 PM
    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.
  • Oct 18, 2011, 12:26 PM
    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
  • Oct 18, 2011, 12:45 PM
    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].
  • Oct 19, 2011, 08:46 AM
    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.
  • Dec 30, 2011, 06:15 AM
    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.
  • Dec 31, 2011, 01:38 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    SunDeep:

    I need to know:

    - What country you are from?
    - Your visa status?
    - Your marital status?
    - If married, children?
  • Dec 31, 2011, 04:40 PM
    sundeep466
    Country: Indian
    visa status : F-1(OPT)
    Location : Ohio
    Marital Status : Single.
  • Dec 31, 2011, 04:57 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    You OWE $1,137 to the IRS, but are due a $1,849 refund from Ohio.
  • Jan 13, 2013, 08:24 PM
    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
  • Jan 13, 2013, 10:05 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    You will need to amend the returns; you may or may not owe money, depending on your home country and your personal situation.

    Email the details at the email address in my profile (if you cannot see it below) and I will evaluate your case in more detail.
  • Jan 27, 2013, 03:34 PM
    samvora87
    I am OPT student who came to US in 2009 from India. My federal withheld is $9968 and wages are $64500. So, how much I can expect back in my tax refund ? And which tax form I needs to file ?
  • Jan 27, 2013, 03:41 PM
    samvora87
    I don't have any other type of income. Only W-2 income as I mentioned.
  • Jan 27, 2013, 03:56 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    You will receive a small refund of $244, because Indian studenta are allowed to claim the standard deduction.
  • Mar 13, 2013, 10:56 AM
    niki_smukhida
    Hi,
    I worked under CPT from 1/1/12 to 8/15/12. I married a US citizen and got my employment authorization on 11/13/12 (K-3 visa). I became a permanent resident (green card) in Jan, 2013. So, I was a NRA all through 2012.
    I am married, but filed separately this time. I filed 1040 NR-EZ, 8843, 843 and 8316. I claimed exemption for Medicare and SS taxes till 8/15/12 (while I worked under CPT).
    I am from India and I deducted $5950 on line 11 under the US-India tax treaty article 21 (2). Also the exemption for 1 person -$3800 on line 13. Am I on the right track? Please advice. Thank you!
  • Mar 13, 2013, 11:07 AM
    niki_smukhida
    Also, I would like to know if that is all we file for federal and state.
  • Mar 13, 2013, 11:08 AM
    niki_smukhida
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by niki_smukhida View Post
    Hi,
    I worked under CPT from 1/1/12 to 8/15/12. I married a US citizen and got my employment authorization on 11/13/12 (K-3 visa). I became a permanent resident (green card) in Jan, 2013. So, I was a NRA all through 2012.
    I am married, but filed separately this time. I filed 1040 NR-EZ, 8843, 843 and 8316. I claimed exemption for Medicare and SS taxes till 8/15/12 (while I worked under CPT).
    I am from India and I deducted $5950 on line 11 under the US-India tax treaty article 21 (2). Also the exemption for 1 person -$3800 on line 13. Am I on the right track? Please advice. Thank you!

    Also, I would like to know if that is all we file for both federal and state. Thanks!
  • Mar 13, 2013, 02:41 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    You got it right for the federal return.

    I cannot say for the state return because you did not identify the state.
  • Mar 14, 2013, 06:02 AM
    niki_smukhida
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AtlantaTaxExpert View Post
    You got it right for the federal return.

    I cannot say for the state return because you did not identify the state.

    The state is Georgia
  • Mar 14, 2013, 07:44 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    The Georgia calculations are different than the federal, with a $3,000 standard deduction and a $2,700 personal exemption (children's exemptions are $3,000).
  • Mar 15, 2013, 02:26 PM
    niki_smukhida
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AtlantaTaxExpert View Post
    The Georgia calculations are different than the federal, with a $3,000 standard deduction and a $2,700 personal exemption (children's exemptions are $3,000).

    What forms do I need for this?
  • Mar 15, 2013, 02:45 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    GA Form 500 is the form to file
  • Mar 15, 2013, 02:49 PM
    niki_smukhida
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AtlantaTaxExpert View Post
    GA Form 500 is the form to file

    Thank you so much!
  • Mar 15, 2013, 08:47 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    Glad to help!
  • Jun 27, 2013, 11:43 AM
    Sherrysra
    Hi,
    I am an international student and I started working on CPT [ curriculum practice training] from December 2011 to February 2013. Currently I am not working. I have so much confusion about filing my taxes and refunds. My tax person told me that since my income exceeded beyond 60,000 , I am not eligible to get the refund back.
    My employer was deducting below from my pay check.
    Federal Withholding -
    CA - Withholding -
    CA - Disability Employee

    The total deduction of all 3 taxes is now above 20,000.
    My salary was $4500/month and after tax deduction I was getting $3700.
    Can you please tell me how much refund I will get back?
    I am very much concerned about my refund as 20,000 is a huge amount .

    Here are my details:
    Visa: F1
    State: California

    Thank You
  • Jun 27, 2013, 01:17 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    Based on the monthly $4,500 salary ($54,000 anually), your federal tax liability is about $7,200 and your California tax liability is about $2,220.

    If more than that was withheld for federal and state withholding, you are due refunds.
  • Jun 28, 2013, 11:18 AM
    Sherrysra
    Hello

    Thanks for the reply.
    I forget to mention one more thing.

    Since I am single , does it make a difference related to my tax refund?
    Also, if I am due refund, then how much I will get ?

    Thanks
  • Jun 28, 2013, 11:29 AM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    The tax calculations assumed you were single.

    The amount of the refund depends on how the withholdings are distributed between state and federal taxes.
  • Jun 28, 2013, 11:30 AM
    JudyKayTee
    Going to highjack for a moment - "Atlantataxexpert," why were such high taxes taken out? $20,000 when she owes about $11,000?

    Any thoughts?
  • Jun 28, 2013, 03:32 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    Judy,

    You ARE correct; $20K IS a large withholding amount.

    If the OP claimed ZERO allowances with SINGLE status on both the W-4 and the California equivalent form, I suppose the withholding could approach $20,000, but that IS unusual.

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