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FICA Exceptions For J-1 Exchange Visitorsby Paula N. Singer, Esq.
Under the U.S. tax rules all employees performing services in the United States are subject to U.S. social security and Medicare taxes unless an exception applies. There are three FICA exceptions that may apply to J-1 Exchange Visitors:
1. The NRA FICA ExceptionSection 3121(b)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) provides an exception from FICA tax for services performed by nonresident aliens temporarily in the United States in principal F, J, M, or Q status for employment performed to carry out the purpose specified by the individual’s immigration status. This exception is called the NRA FICA Exception. J-1 Exchange Visitors qualify for the NRA FICA Exception if they meet all of the following criteria:
J-1 Students who fail to meet the conditions for the NRA FICA Exception because they become RAs are still potentially eligible for the Student FICA Exception for on-campus employment. This NRA FICA Exception is more liberal for NRA students than the Student FICA Exception discussed next because it applies to on-campus employment during official breaks, authorized off-campus employment, and academic training including with a corporation. 2. The Student FICA ExceptionSection 3121(b)(10) of the Code provides an exception from FICA tax for students who are employed by a school, college, or university or a Section 509(a)(3) affiliate. The exception applies regardless of the type of institution - private or public, tax-exempt or for-profit. The exception does not require that students be a U.S. citizen in order to qualify for the FICA tax exemption. Therefore, J-1 Students, whether their residency status is resident or nonresident, are potentially eligible for the Student FICA Exception under the same rules that apply to students who are citizens. To qualify for the Student FICA Exception, students must be enrolled and attending classes at least half-time at the institution. In order for their employment to qualify for the exception from FICA tax, it must be incident to and for the purpose of pursuing a course of study at the employer institution. Therefore, full-time employment does not qualify for the Student FICA Exception. Generally, student employment during school vacations when students may work full-time is not covered by the Student FICA Exception. The exception applies only to work performed for the institution at which the student is enrolled. 3. FICA Exemption under a Social Security AgreementThe United States has Social Security Agreements (commonly called “Totalization Agreements”) with over 20 countries. These agreements eliminate dual coverage and dual contributions (taxes) for the same compensation. There are two situations in which an employee may be covered under another country’s social security system:
Generally, a detached worker is an employee who has come to the United States to work temporarily for the same employer for a period not expected to exceed 5 years. In both situations, coverage by another country under a Totalization Agreement must be supported by a Certificate of Coverage that the Social Security agency of the other country has issued as evidence that the employee is covered by (and paying into) that country’s Social Security system. Information about Totalization Agreements, including how to request a Certificate of Coverage, is available on the Social Security Administration’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov; click on “International Programs.”
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