Hi all,
I'm *deeply* confused. I came to Los Angeles on a J1 visa through an exchange organisation that handily told me exactly what to put on my tax witholding form when I started work.
I have now switched to an H1B visa and I'm assuming I need to fill out a new witholding form, but I have no idea what to put. Can any of you shed any light on how I figure this out?
Cheers
*Rachel
It all depends on you situation, single/married/kids etc.
Your human resource person should be able to explain it to you no problem.
We don't have an HR person! I have to do everything myself with this sort of thing as no one here has any knowledge of having foreign employees.
It shouldn't affect your tax withholding where you are from.
Its a form that tells your company and the IRS at what rate they should take tax from your pay.
The W4 is really straight forward.
You put a 1 in A for yourself
Same for B
Put numbers in C&D if appropriate
Same for EFG
Add total for H
It really doesnt matter if its not right, but at tax time you could find yourself owing or overpaed on your taxes at which time you can adjust to your liking by filling out another W4 and handing it to your employer.
You really need to get an accountant to do it for you. I was in the same situation exactly (J1 - through CIEE - to H1B through employer) luckily my Husband (he was boyfriend at the time) has a Father who used to work for the IRS so he did my taxes. It was confusing - you file different forms to residents.
It will be worth your while and the small cost just to get an accountant to look it over, or prepare it for you.
HTH.
Stel.