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General Information for J-1 Visa Exchange Visitors
(Summer Work/Travel, Camp Counselor, Au Pair)
When a person earns money in the U.S., they must pay many different types of employment taxes. As an Exchange Visitor (Summer Work/Travel, Camp Counselor, Au Pair), you are GENERALLY not required to pay ALL employment taxes.
As an Exchange Visitor, you ARE required to pay these taxes: Federal (national) Income Tax
State Income Taxes
Local Income Taxes
Local Headcount Taxes As an Exchange Visitor, you GENERALLY are NOT required to pay these taxes: Social Security*
Medicare* *These taxes are sometimes referred to as FICA or OASDI.
In the U.S. the most common way to pay employment taxes is for employers to WITHHOLD taxes from your paycheck and send this money directly to the federal, state and/or local governments.
In the U.S. the calculations for the taxes are very complex. Therefore, the amount of money that employers send to the federal, state and local governments for taxes is based on an ESTIMATE of the amount that you will owe the government for taxes.
At the end of the year, each employee files at least one INCOME TAX RETURN. Some employees file 3 or more INCOME TAX RETURNS. INCOME TAX RETURNS are reports prepared by the employee that compare (a) the amount that the employee owes the federal, state and local governments for taxes and (b) the amounts that were withheld and sent to the government by employers for these taxes.
If employers withheld too much money for taxes, then the employee will receive a REFUND from the federal, state and local governments. If the employers did not withhold enough money for taxes, then the employee must send the difference to the federal, state and local governments.
Fisher Tax Services is happy to advise you on your specific tax situation and prepare an estimate of your taxes for FREE! As experts in U.S. tax law, Fisher Tax Services will help you to receive the greatest refunds legally possible.
TAX ALERT! There are some situations when a non-resident alien is required to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. It’s best to consult with a tax advisor to ensure that you are in compliance with U.S. tax law.
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