FICA Tax Refund Estimator for F-1 Students
This estimate is for tax year 2026. The exception depends on tax residency and the kind of work, not only on an F-1 visa. W-2 boxes 4 and 6 are the better inputs. This page does not promise a refund.
Questions students ask
I am on F-1. Is FICA always refundable?
No. The exception looks at nonresident tax status and whether the services fit the visa purpose. A resident alien, or work that does not qualify, is not given a refund figure here.
Can I get this back by filing a tax return?
Not always. The usual first step is to ask the employer to correct the withholding. A Form 1040-NR does not recover every kind of payroll tax.
I do not have a W-2 yet. Can I still estimate?
Yes, from wages, for a tax year whose employee rates and wage base are loaded. The result says that payroll can differ from that estimate.