The F-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to study as a full-time student at a secondary school, university or higher education institution.

In order to gain international experience and help pay for tuition and living costs, many students work part-time to cover their expenses.

In order to be permitted to work while studying the university in which the student is enrolled must issue them a work permit.

This permit will be issued only in 4 cases:

• On-campus
  to support professors at universities or university projects
• Off-campus
  to work in a company up to 20 hours per week
• Economic Hardship Employment
  to work to cover living expenses
• Optional Practical Training
  after the completion of your studies, you have the option to gain work experience in a 12 months OPT-program (full time)

If you obtain one of these permits and you take up employment, the following taxes will be deducted from your earnings:

• Federal Tax
• State Tax
• Local Tax

Federal Tax

The U.S. government levies taxes on personal income to fund government programs such as the military, foreign affairs, law enforcement and interest on national debt.

State Tax

The respective state in which you are being trained levies a state tax. The State Tax is made up of taxes (income tax, sales tax, land tax and property tax) and is levied by the local taxing authorities. The tax rate varies from state to state.

Local Tax

The council tax is levied by the municipality to fund public facilities.

F-Visa holders are required by law to file a tax return, if the annual income in 2009 was more than $ 3,650 or will be more than $3,650 in 2010.

From taxback.com’s experience we can tell you that it is worth filing a tax return in either case, because the average tax refund is $800.

With the help of our partner taxback.com we offer you a fast and smooth process in filing your US tax return.

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