US Tax Refunds

Au Pair: J1 Visa

The Au Pair programme allows foreign nationals between 18 and 26 years old to live with a US host family and provide limited childcare services for them for up to 12 months. Childcare is limited to no more than 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week.

Au Pairs receive a weekly wage from the host family for their childcare services. You are not allowed to work outside of the Au Pair programme.

On the Au Pair programme you are also required to take no less than six semester hours of approved classes at an accredited US educational institution. You host families will pay up to $500 toward the cost of your required academic course work.

Because Au Pair wages are paid for domestic service in a private home they are not subject to income tax withholding. However you are still required to file a tax return in the US. Download the US TaxPack today.

EduCare: J1 Visa

The EduCare programme is part of the Au Pair programme and means you'll be placed with a family with school-aged children who require childcare before and after school hours. Childcare is limited to no more than 10 hours a day and 30 hours per week.

You are not allowed to work outside of the EduCare programme.

EduCare participants must complete a minimum of 12 hours academic credit during the year and the host family will pay up to $1000 of the cost of the academic course.

Because EduCare wages for domestic service in a private home, they are not subject to income tax withholding. However, you are still required to file a tax return in the US. Download the US TaxPack today.

Camp Counsellor: J1 Visa

The Camp Counsellor programme allows foreign university students, youth workers and other specially qualified individuals over the age of 18 to work as counsellors in US summer camps for up to four months. You'll be placed at a camp by your visa sponsor prior to your arrival in the US. You will receive the same pay and benefits as your US counterparts. You are not allowed to work outside of the programme.

You will pay federal and state tax on your earnings and are required by law to file a tax return if you earned more than $3500 in 2008 or $3650 in 2009.

If you've worked as a camp counsellor, you may be entitled to a tax refund from the US.

Try our FREE online refund calculator to see how much cash you could be owed.

Work & Travel: J1 Visa

The Work and Travel visa programme allows foreign post-secondary school students to work and travel in the US for up to four months during the summer break. Your visa sponsor will provide you with information on jobs and accommodation and make sure you get paid fairly.

There is no prohibition on having more than one job while you're on a work and travel programme, however you should check with your sponsor before you accept a second position.

You will pay federal and state tax on your earnings and are required by law to file a tax return if you earned more than $3500 in 2008 or $3650 in 2000.

If you've been on a work and travel visa, you may be entitled to a tax refund from the US.

Try our FREE online refund estimator to see how much cash you could be owed.

Teacher: J1 Visa

This programme allows qualified foreigners to teach at accredited primary and secondary schools in the US for up to three years. To be eligible you must meet the qualifications for teaching in your home country, have a minimum of three years of teaching or related professional experience, and satisfy the standards of the US state in which you'll teach. Your visa does not allow you to work outside of the programme.

While working as a teacher, if you're getting paid by a US source, you'll need a Social Security Number (SSN). If you're getting paid by a source outside the US you won't need an SSN.

You'll pay federal and state taxes on all your income in the US and are obliged to file a tax return if you earned more than $3500 in 2008 or more than $3650 in 2009. You may be entitled to a tax refund.

Try our FREE online refund estimator to see how much cash you could get back.

Trainee/Internship: J1 Visa

Trainee and internship programmes give exchange visitors the opportunity to improve their skills in their chosen field by participating in a structured training programme in the US. The training must not duplicate a trainee participant's prior training and experience.

There are three main types of internship – academic, governmental and private sector. If you're in an academic or governmental training programme you'll probably be sponsored by your educational institution or by the government and will not receive compensation during your training - but you still have to file a tax return. Internships in the private sector are usually paid as trainees. You are not allowed to work outside of the programme.

If you're getting paid as in intern or trainee by a US source, you'll need a Social Security Number (SSN). If you're getting paid by a source outside the US you won't need an SSN.

You'll pay federal and state taxes on all your earnings in the US and are obliged by law to file a tax return if you earned more than $3500 in 2008 or $3650 in 2009. You may be entitled to a tax refund from the US.

Try our FREE online refund estimator to see how much cash you could get back.

Professor or Research Scholar: J1 Visa

This programme allows foreign professors and research scholars to engage in research, teaching and lecturing with their American colleagues for up to three years. You will be paid by the educational or governmental institution you're working or studying at and in most cases will pay federal and state tax on your earnings.

If you earned more than $3400 in 2007 or $3500 in 2008 you are obliged by law to file a tax return and you may be entitled to a tax refund.

Try our FREE online refund estimator to see how much cash you could get back.

Students: J1 Visa

The student programme allows foreign students the opportunity to study at a post-secondary accredited educational institution in the US. Students can participate in degree or non-degree programmes. You are eligible for this programme if at any time during your study in the US you are funded by the US Government, the government of your home country, an international organisation which the US is a member of or by any source other than personal or family funds.

J1 student status allows you to work on campus or in an academic training job for 18 months during and/or after the completion of your studies, with prior permission from your visa sponsor. If you receive income from US sources you will need to get a social security number and will pay federal and state taxes on your earnings.

If you earned more the $3500 in 2008 or $3650 in 2009 you are obliged by law to file a tax return and may be due a tax refund.

Try our FREE online refund estimator to see how much cash you could get back.