Taxes to claim back on your J1 Visa
So you’ve just been working in the US for the Summer, and now you’ve returned home and are wondering just exactly “What taxes can be claimed back with a J1 ?“. The rules for this are not 100% straight forward but I will try to outline just how you can claim your J1 Taxes. In the US, there are 3 types of income tax, and on your wages slip you should can see up to 4 of the following deductions:
- FICA (Social Security Tax, figured at 6.2% of the first $97,500 of wages)
- Medicare (health insurance, can be separate depending on your provider, and is 1.45% of all wages)
- State tax (taxes that go to the state you live in, some states don’t have this. Rates can vary)
- Local tax (taxes that go to the local authorities, like your city that you live in. Rates can vary.)
- Federal tax (taxes that go to the federal government, rates depend on your salary.
J1 visa holders are exempt from FICA (Social Security or Medicare) taxes for two years . This more than covers the length that a typical J1 student will stay in the USA. You need to make sure that you are registered as a non-resident. Once you are a non-resident you start to get an exemption on your deductions.On your wages slip you should see itemized deductions.
Start the process
Once your return to your home country, it’s possible to file for a return of these taxes. Typical processing time can take up to 2 months, so it’s important that you start your claim as soon as you come back.
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I am working in Florida since last year (July 28, 2008) and I do not know exactly what is the form that I have to fill for taxes, what I mean is that somebody told me, in my case, I have to fill something else but I do not where I can upload it, I work as a teacher, Im from Colombia and I came here through a Exchange Teacher Program.
I appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Comment by Jenny Rodriguez — March 7, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
El año pasado trabaje en los EEUU por 3 meses con visa j1 para estudiantes, quiero saber cuánto es lo mínimo que debo haber ganado para que me devuelvan los taxes este año. Agradezco su respuesta.
Comment by Diana Domínguez — April 16, 2010 @ 5:41 pm