HI,
I am a student from Russia currently on F1 visa. I will graduate this may and get my OPT from MAY 2008. I have found a job as a research technician and the employer will process J1 for me. I have few doubts and also need advice on few things.
1. I get my OPT from MAY 2008 to next year. should I work on my OPT until may be DEC 2008 and start my J1 from Jan 2009. anyways OPT will go waste for me and doing it this way at least my J1 start date will be postponed. Any advantages/ disadvantages doing this.
2. I have been a student on F1 since june 2004. I have figured out I dont qualify for resident status (for taxes) when I am on J1 for 2 years . Do i still qualify for 2 year J1 exemption from FICA taxes for 2 years? (or) my 5 years of exemption under F1 will negate the J1 2 years exemption.
3. end of 2008 how do i file tax return if I go from F1-OPT-J1. just one 1040NREZ will do bcoz I will be considered non-resident?
4. My country (RUSSIAN FEDERATION) is not on the skilled list for exchange scholar. Does it mean I don't have to get a waiver if I need to transfer from J1 to H1 or just less steps for waiver.
5. so far as a F1 student I am not taxed on interest from US savings bank account. Is it the same if I am on OPT and J1.
6. Also, if I get capital gains or dividends from investments are they taxed?
I know its a lot of questions. I tried to get answers from previous posts but they don't relate to my country and so i am confused. Even anyone can answer few of them it would be of great help.
thanks much.
I am a student from Russia currently on F1 visa. I will graduate this may and get my OPT from MAY 2008. I have found a job as a research technician and the employer will process J1 for me. I have few doubts and also need advice on few things.
1. I get my OPT from MAY 2008 to next year. should I work on my OPT until may be DEC 2008 and start my J1 from Jan 2009. anyways OPT will go waste for me and doing it this way at least my J1 start date will be postponed. Any advantages/ disadvantages doing this.
2. I have been a student on F1 since june 2004. I have figured out I dont qualify for resident status (for taxes) when I am on J1 for 2 years . Do i still qualify for 2 year J1 exemption from FICA taxes for 2 years? (or) my 5 years of exemption under F1 will negate the J1 2 years exemption.
3. end of 2008 how do i file tax return if I go from F1-OPT-J1. just one 1040NREZ will do bcoz I will be considered non-resident?
4. My country (RUSSIAN FEDERATION) is not on the skilled list for exchange scholar. Does it mean I don't have to get a waiver if I need to transfer from J1 to H1 or just less steps for waiver.
5. so far as a F1 student I am not taxed on interest from US savings bank account. Is it the same if I am on OPT and J1.
6. Also, if I get capital gains or dividends from investments are they taxed?
I know its a lot of questions. I tried to get answers from previous posts but they don't relate to my country and so i am confused. Even anyone can answer few of them it would be of great help.
thanks much.