U.S. Income Taxes
Generally, your employer pays your taxes directly to the government for you, by taking the money out of your paycheck. This is called "withholding," and approximately 10-15% of your salary will be withheld for federal income tax. Some of this money may be refunded to you at the end of the year when you report your taxes.
Some states and cities also charge income tax, which may be deducted from your paycheck. State income taxes are approximately 5-8%. As with federal taxes, you may be able to claim a refund for a portion of these taxes at the end of the year.
As a foreign student working on a J-1 Visa, you are required to pay some but not all of the taxes which U.S. citizens pay.
You do pay:
- Federal Income Tax
- State Income Tax
- Local or City Income Tax
You do not pay:
- Social Security & Medicare Tax (FICA)
- Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
You must pay U.S. income tax. Failure to pay taxes may mean you will not be allowed to return to the U.S. Please make sure that taxes are being withheld from your paycheck. If you or your employer have questions regarding your tax status, please contact CIEE.
For additional information about filing your taxes at the end of your CIEE Work & Travel USA program, visit the Completing Your Program section of the site.
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