Publication 519: U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens; Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2003 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Introduction

This chapter discusses how to pay your U.S. income tax as you earn or receive income during the year. In general, the federal income tax is a pay as you go tax. There are two ways to pay as you go.

Withholding. If you are an employee, your employer probably withholds income tax from your pay. Tax may also be withheld from certain other income—including pensions, bonuses, commissions, and gambling winnings. In each case, the amount withheld is paid to the U.S. Treasury in your name.
Estimated tax. If you do not pay your tax through withholding, or do not pay enough tax that way, you might have to pay estimated tax. People who are in business for themselves generally will have to pay their tax this way. You may have to pay estimated tax if you receive income such as dividends, interest, rent, and royalties. Estimated tax is used to pay not only income tax, but self-employment tax and alternative minimum tax as well.

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You must let your employer know whether you are a resident or a nonresident alien so your employer can withhold the correct amount of tax from your wages.

If you are a resident alien under the rules discussed in chapter 1, you may file Form W–9 or a similar statement with your employer. If you are a nonresident alien under those rules, you must furnish to your employer Form 8233 or Form W–8BEN, establishing that you are a foreign person, or Form W–4, establishing that your compensation is subject to graduated withholding at the same rates as resident aliens or U.S. citizens.

If you are a resident alien and you receive income other than wages (such as dividends and royalties) from sources within the United States, you may file Form W–9 or similar statement with the withholding agent (generally, the payer of the income) so the agent will not withhold tax on the income at the 30% (or lower treaty) rate. If you receive this type of income as a nonresident alien, file Form W–8BEN with the withholding agent so that the agent will withhold tax at the 30% (or lower treaty) rate. However, if the income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, file Form W–8ECI instead.

The following discussion generally applies only to nonresident aliens. Tax is withheld from resident aliens in the same manner as U.S. citizens.

Wages and other compensation paid to a nonresident alien for services performed as an employee are usually subject to graduated withholding at the same rates as resident aliens and U.S. citizens. Therefore, your compensation, unless it is specifically excluded from the term “wages” by law, or is exempt from tax by treaty, is subject to graduated withholding.

If you are an employee and you receive wages subject to graduated withholding, you will be required to fill out a Form W–4. Also fill out Form W–4 for a scholarship or fellowship grant to the extent it represents payment for past, present, or future services and for which you are not claiming a tax treaty withholding exemption on Form 8233 (discussed later under Income Entitled to Tax Treaty Benefits). These are services you are required to perform as an employee and as a condition of receiving the scholarship or fellowship (or tuition reduction). Nonresident aliens should fill out Form W–4 using the following instructions instead of the instructions on the Form W–4. This is because of the restrictions on a nonresident alien's filing status, the limited number of personal exemptions a nonresident alien is allowed, and because a nonresident alien cannot claim the standard deduction.

A U.S. national is an individual who, although not a U.S. citizen, owes his or her allegiance to the United States. U.S. nationals include American Samoans, and Northern Mariana Islanders who chose to become U.S. nationals instead of U.S. citizens.

See Withholding on Scholarships and Fellowship Grants, later, for how to fill out Form W–4 if you receive a U.S. source scholarship or fellowship grant that is not a payment for services.

Students and business apprentices from India.

If you are eligible for the benefits of Article 21(2) of the United States–India Income Tax Treaty, you may claim additional withholding allowances for the standard deduction and your spouse. You may also claim an additional withholding allowance for each of your dependents not admitted to the United States on “F–2,” “J–2,” or “M–2” visas if they meet the same rules that apply to U.S. citizens. You do not have to request additional withholding on line 6.

Household employees.

If you work as a household employee, your employer does not have to withhold income tax. However, you may agree to voluntary income tax withholding by filing a Form W–4 with your employer. The agreement goes into effect when your employer accepts the agreement by beginning the withholding. You or your employer may end the agreement by letting the other know in writing.

Wages that are exempt from U.S. income tax under an income tax treaty are generally exempt from withholding. For information on how to claim an exemption from withholding, see Income Entitled to Tax Treaty Benefits, later.

Wages paid to aliens who are residents of Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may be exempt from withholding. The following paragraphs explain these exemptions.

Residents of Canada or Mexico engaged in
transportation-related employment.

Certain residents of Canada or Mexico who enter or leave the United States at frequent intervals are not subject to withholding on their wages. These persons either:

Perform duties in transportation service between the United States and Canada or Mexico, or
Perform duties connected to the construction, maintenance, or operation of a waterway, viaduct, dam, or bridge crossed by, or crossing, the boundary between the United States and Canada or the boundary between the United States and Mexico.

This employment is subject to withholding of social security and Medicare taxes unless the services are performed for a railroad.

To qualify for the exemption from withholding during a tax year, a Canadian or Mexican resident must give the employer a statement in duplicate with name, address, and identification number, certifying that the resident:

Is not a U.S. citizen or resident,
Is a resident of Canada or Mexico, whichever applies, and
Expects to perform duties previously described during the tax year in question.

The statement can be in any form, but it must be dated and signed by the employee and must include a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury.

Residents of Puerto Rico.

If you are a nonresident alien employee who is a resident of Puerto Rico, wages for services performed in Puerto Rico are generally not subject to withholding unless you are an employee of the United States or any of its agencies in Puerto Rico.

Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Nonresident aliens who are bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands are not subject to withholding of U.S. tax on income earned while temporarily employed in the United States. This is because those persons pay their income tax to the Virgin Islands. To avoid having tax withheld on income earned in the United States, bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands should write a letter, in duplicate, to their employers, stating that they are bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands and expect to pay tax on all income to the Virgin Islands.

If you receive a pension as a result of personal services performed in the United States, the pension income is subject to the 30% (or lower treaty) rate of withholding. You may, however, have tax withheld at graduated rates on the portion of the pension that arises from the performance of services in the United States after December 31, 1986. You must fill out Form W–8ECI and give it to the withholding agent or payer before the income is paid or credited to you.

Tips you receive during the year for services performed in the United States are subject to U.S. income tax. Include them in taxable income. In addition, tips received while working for one employer, amounting to $20 or more in a month, are subject to graduated withholding.

If there is no employee-employer relationship between you and the person for whom you perform services, your compensation is subject to the 30% (or lower treaty) rate of withholding. However, if you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States during the tax year, your compensation for personal services as an independent contractor (independent personal services) may be entirely or partly exempt from withholding if you reach an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service on the amount of withholding required. Also, the final payment to you during the tax year for independent personal services may be entirely or partly exempt from withholding if you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States during the year and you file the forms and provide the information required by the IRS.

An agreement that you reach with the IRS regarding withholding from your compensation for independent personal services is effective for payments covered by the agreement after it is agreed to by all parties. You must agree to timely file an income tax return for the current tax year.

Central withholding agreements.

If you are a nonresident alien entertainer or athlete performing or participating in athletic events in the United States, you may be able to enter into a withholding agreement with the IRS for reduced withholding provided certain requirements are met. Under no circumstances will such a withholding agreement reduce taxes withheld to less than the anticipated amount of income tax liability.

Nonresident alien entertainers or athletes requesting a central withholding agreement must submit the following information.

A list of the names and addresses of the nonresident aliens to be covered by the agreement.
Copies of all contracts that the aliens or their agents and representatives have entered into regarding the time period and performances or events to be covered by the agreement including, but not limited to, contracts with:
1. Employers, agents, and promoters,
2. Exhibition halls,
3. Persons providing lodging, transportation, and advertising, and
4. Accompanying personnel, such as band members or trainers.
An itinerary of dates and locations of all events or performances scheduled during the period to be covered by the agreement.
A proposed budget containing itemized estimates of all gross income and expenses for the period covered by the agreement, including any documents to support these estimates.
The name, address, and telephone number of the person the IRS should contact if additional information or documentation is needed.
The name, address, and employer identification number of the agent or agents who will be the central withholding agents for the aliens and who will enter into a contract with the IRS. A central withholding agent ordinarily receives contract payments, keeps books of account for the aliens covered by the agreement, and pays expenses (including tax liabilities) for the aliens during the period covered by the agreement.

When the IRS approves the estimated budget and the designated central withholding agents, the Associate Chief Counsel (International) will prepare a withholding agreement. The agreement must be signed by each withholding agent, each nonresident alien covered by the agreement, and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service or his delegate.

Generally, each withholding agent must agree to withhold income tax from payments made to the nonresident alien, to pay over the withheld tax to the IRS on the dates and in the amounts specified in the agreement, and to have the IRS apply the payments of withheld tax to the withholding agent's Form 1042 account. Each withholding agent will be required to file Form 1042 and Form 1042–S for each tax year in which income is paid to a nonresident alien covered by the withholding agreement. The IRS will credit the withheld tax payments, posted to the withholding agent's Form 1042 account, in accordance with the Form 1042–S. Each nonresident alien covered by the withholding agreement must agree to file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR–EZ.

A request for a central withholding agreement should be sent to the following address at least 90 days before the agreement is to take effect.

Internal Revenue Service
Compliance Area Director, Area 15
950 L'Enfant Plaza South, S.W.
S:C:15
Washington, DC 20024

Final payment exemption.

Your final payment of compensation during the tax year for independent personal services may be entirely or partly exempt from withholding. This exemption is available only once during your tax year and applies to a maximum of $5,000 of compensation. To obtain this exemption, you or your agent must give the following statements and information to the Commissioner or his delegate.

A statement by each withholding agent from whom you have received gross income effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States during the tax year, showing the amount of income paid and the tax withheld. Each statement must be signed by the withholding agent and verified by a declaration that it is made under penalties of perjury.
A statement by the withholding agent from whom you expect to receive the final payment of compensation, showing the amount of the payment and the amount of tax that would be withheld if a final payment exemption were not granted. This statement must also be signed by the withholding agent and verified by a declaration that it is made under penalties of perjury.
A statement by you that you do not intend to receive any other income effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States during the current tax year.
The amount of tax that has been withheld or paid under any other provision of the Internal Revenue Code or regulations for any income effectively connected with your trade or business in the United States during the current tax year.
The amount of your outstanding tax liabilities, if any, including interest and penalties, from the current tax year or prior tax periods.
Any provision of an income tax treaty under which a partial or complete exemption from withholding may be claimed, the country of your residence, and a statement of sufficient facts to justify an exemption under the treaty.
A statement signed by you, and verified by a declaration that it is made under penalties of perjury, that all the information given is true and that to your knowledge no relevant information has been omitted.

If satisfied with the information, the IRS will determine the amount of your tentative income tax for the tax year on gross income effectively connected with your trade or business in the United States. Ordinary and necessary business expenses can be taken into account if proven to the satisfaction of the Commissioner or his delegate.

The Commissioner or his delegate will send you a letter, directed to the withholding agent, showing the amount of the final payment of compensation that is exempt from withholding and the amount that can be paid to you because of the exemption. You must give two copies of the letter to the withholding agent and must also attach a copy of the letter to your income tax return for the tax year for which the exemption is effective.

Withholding on payments for independent personal services is generally based on the amount of your compensation payment minus the value of one exemption ($3,050 for 2003).

To determine the income for independent personal services performed in the United States to which the 30% (or lower treaty) rate will apply, you are allowed one personal exemption if you are not a U.S. national and are not a resident of Canada, Mexico, Japan, or South Korea. For purposes of 30% withholding, the exemption is prorated at $8.36 a day in 2003 for the period that labor or personal services are performed in the United States. To claim an exemption from withholding on the personal exemption amount, fill out the applicable parts of Form 8233 and give it to the withholding agent.

Example.

Eric Schmidt, who is a resident of Germany, worked under a contract with a U.S. firm (not as an employee) in the United States for 100 days during 2003 before returning to his country. He earned $6,000 for the services performed (not considered wages) in the United States. Eric is married and has three dependent children. His wife is not employed and has no income subject to U.S. tax. The amount of the personal exemption to be allowed against the income for his personal services performed within the United States in 2003 is $836 (100 days × $8.36), and withholding at 30% is applied against the balance. Thus, $1,549.20 in tax is withheld from Eric's earnings (30% of $5,164 ($6,000 - $836)).

U.S. nationals or residents of Canada, Mexico, Japan, or South Korea.

If you are a nonresident alien who is a resident of Canada, Mexico, Japan, or South Korea, or who is a national of the United States, you are subject to the same 30% withholding on your compensation for independent personal services performed in the United States. However, if you are a U.S. national or a resident of Canada or Mexico, you are allowed the same personal exemptions as U.S. citizens. For the 30% (or lower treaty rate) withholding, you can take $8.36 per day for each allowable exemption in 2003. If you are a resident of Japan or Korea, you are allowed personal exemptions for yourself and for your spouse and children who live with you in the United States at any time during the tax year. However, the additional exemptions for your spouse and children must be further prorated as explained in chapter 5 under Exemptions.

Students and business apprentices from India.

If you are eligible for the benefits of Article 21(2) of the United States–India Income Tax Treaty, you are allowed an exemption for your spouse only if your spouse has no gross income and is not the dependent of another taxpayer. You are also allowed an exemption for each dependent not admitted to the United States on “F–2,” “J–2,” or “M–2” visas if they meet the same rules that apply to U.S. citizens. For the 30% (or lower treaty rate) withholding on compensation for independent personal services performed in the United States, you are allowed $8.36 per day for each allowable exemption in 2003.

Other income subject to 30% withholding generally includes fixed or determinable income such as interest (other than portfolio interest), dividends, pensions and annuities, and gains from certain sales and exchanges, discussed in chapter 4. It also includes 85% of social security benefits paid to nonresident aliens.

The following income is not subject to withholding at the 30% (or lower treaty) rate if you file Form W–8ECI with the payer of the income.

Special rules for withholding on partnership income, scholarships, and fellowships are explained next.

If you are a foreign partner in a U.S. or foreign partnership, the partnership will withhold tax on your share of effectively connected taxable income from the partnership. The partnership will give you a statement on Form 8805, Foreign Partner's Information Statement of Section 1446 Withholding Tax, showing the tax withheld. A partnership that is publicly traded may withhold on your actual distributions of effectively connected income. In this case the partnership will give you a statement on Form 1042–S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding. For 2002, the withholding rate was 38.6%. Claim the tax withheld as a credit on line 66a or 66b of Form 1040NR, as appropriate.

If you are a foreign partner responsible for withholding, see Partnership Withholding on Effectively Connected Income in Publication 515.

There is no withholding on a qualified scholarship received by a candidate for a degree. See chapter 3.

If you are a nonresident alien student or grantee with an “F,” “J,” “M,” or “Q” visa and you receive a U.S. source grant or scholarship that is not fully exempt, the withholding agent (usually the payer of the scholarship) withholds tax at 14% (or lower treaty rate) of the taxable part of the grant or scholarship that is not a payment for services. However, if you are not a candidate for a degree and the grant does not meet certain requirements, tax will be withheld at the 30% (or lower treaty) rate.

Any part of a scholarship or fellowship grant that is a payment for services is subject to graduated withholding as discussed earlier under Withholding on Wages.

Your withholding agent may choose to use an alternate procedure by asking you to fill out Form W–4 and the Personal Allowances Worksheet (attached to Form W–4). Use the following instructions instead of the Form W–4 instructions to complete the worksheet.

Line A.

Enter the total of the following amounts on line A.

Personal exemption.

Include the prorated part of your allowable personal exemption. Figure the amount by multiplying the number of days you expect to be in the United States in 2003 by the daily exemption amount ($8.36).

Expenses.

Include expenses that will be deductible on your return. These include away-from-home expenses (meals, lodging, and transportation), certain state and local income taxes, charitable contributions, and casualty losses, discussed earlier under Itemized Deductions in chapter 5. They also include business expenses, moving expenses, and the IRA deduction discussed under Deductions in chapter 5.

The amount of away-from-home expenses should be the anticipated actual amount, if known. If you do not know the amount of actual expenses at the time you complete Form W–4, you can claim the current per diem allowance for participants in the Career Education Program under the Federal Travel Regulations. The current per diem allowance is $18 per day.

Nontaxable grant or scholarship.

Include the part of your grant or scholarship that is not taxable under U.S. law or under a tax treaty.

Line B.

Enter –0– unless the following paragraph applies to you.

If you are a student who qualifies under Article 21(2) of the United States–India income tax treaty, and you are not claiming deductions for away-from-home expenses or other itemized deductions (discussed earlier), enter the standard deduction on line B. The standard deduction amount for 2003 is $4,750 if you are single or $3,975 if you are married.

Lines C and D.

Enter –0– on both lines unless the following paragraphs apply to you.

If you are a resident of Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, or a U.S. national, an additional daily exemption amount may be allowed for your spouse and each of your dependents.

If you are a resident of India who is eligible for the benefits of Article 21(2) of the United States–India income tax treaty, you can claim an additional daily exemption amount for your spouse. You can also claim an additional amount for each of your dependents not admitted to the United States on “F–2,” “J–2,” or “M–2” visas if they meet the same rules that apply to U.S. citizens.

Enter any additional amount for your spouse on line C. Enter any additional amount for your dependents on line D.

Lines E, F, and G.

No entries should be made on lines E, F, and G.

Line H.

Add the amounts on lines A through D and enter the total on line H.

Form W–4.

Complete lines 1 through 4 of Form W–4. Sign and date the form and give it with the Personal Allowances Worksheet to your withholding agent.

If you file a Form W–4 to reduce or eliminate the withholding on your scholarship or grant, you must file an annual U.S. income tax return to be allowed the exemptions and deductions you claimed on that form. If you are in the United States during more than one tax year, you must attach a statement to your yearly Form W–4 indicating that you have filed a U.S. income tax return for the previous year. If you have not been in the United States long enough to be required to file a return, you must attach a statement to your Form W–4 saying you will file a U.S. income tax return when required.

After the withholding agent has accepted your Form W–4, tax will be withheld on your scholarship or grant at the graduated rates that apply to wages. The gross amount of the income is reduced by the amount on line H of the worksheet and the withholding tax is figured on the remainder.

You will receive a Form 1042–S from the withholding agent (usually the payer of your grant) showing the gross amount of your taxable scholarship or fellowship grant less the withholding allowance amount, the tax rate, and the amount of tax withheld. Use this form to file your annual U.S. income tax return.

If a tax treaty between the United States and your country provides an exemption from, or a reduced rate of, tax for certain items of income, you should notify the payor of the income (the withholding agent) of your foreign status to claim a tax treaty withholding exemption. Generally, you do this by filing either Form W–8BEN or Form 8233 with the withholding agent.

File Form W–8BEN for income that is not personal services income. File Form 8233 for personal services income as discussed next.

Employees and independent contractors.

If you perform personal services as an employee or as an independent contractor and you can claim an exemption from withholding on that personal service income because of a tax treaty, give Form 8233 to each withholding agent from whom amounts will be received.

Even if you submit Form 8233, the withholding agent may have to withhold tax from your income. This is because the factors on which the treaty exemption is based may not be determinable until after the close of the tax year. In this case, you must file Form 1040NR to recover any overwithheld tax and to provide the IRS with proof that you are entitled to the treaty exemption.

Students, teachers, and researchers.

Students, teachers, and researchers must attach the appropriate statement shown in Appendix A (for students) or Appendix B (for teachers and researchers) at the end of this publication to the Form 8233 and give it to the withholding agent. For treaties not listed in the appendices, attach a statement in a format similar to those for other treaties.

If you received a scholarship or fellowship and personal services income from the same withholding agent, use Form 8233 to claim an exemption from withholding based on a tax treaty for both types of income.

Special events and promotions.

Withholding at the full 30% rate is required for payments made to a nonresident alien or foreign corporation for gate receipts (or television or other receipts) from rock music festivals, boxing promotions, and other entertainment or sporting events, unless the withholding agent has been specifically advised otherwise by letter from the IRS. This is true even if the income may be exempt from taxation by provisions of a tax treaty. One reason for this is that the partial or complete exemption is usually based on factors that cannot be determined until after the close of the tax year.

The required letter should be requested from the:

Internal Revenue Service
Compliance Area Director, Area 15
950 L'Enfant Plaza South, S.W. S:C:15
Washington, DC 20024.

Entertainers and athletes can also apply for reduced withholding on the basis of their net income after expenses. See Central withholding agreements under Withholding From Compensation, earlier.

You will be required to pay U.S. tax, at the time of your departure from the United States, on any income for which you incorrectly claimed a treaty exemption. For more details on treaty provisions that apply to compensation, see Publication 901.

If you are a nonresident alien and you dispose of a U.S. real property interest, the transferee (buyer) of the property generally must withhold a tax equal to 10% of the amount realized on the disposition. Withholding is also required on certain distributions and other transactions by domestic or foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates. These rules are covered in Publication 515 under U.S. Real Property Interest.

If you are a partner in a domestic partnership, and the partnership disposes of a U.S. real property interest at a gain, the partnership will withhold tax on the amount of gain allocable to its foreign partners. Your share of the income and tax withheld will be reported to you on Form 8805, Foreign Partner's Information Statement of Section 1446 Withholding Tax, or Form 1042–S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding (in the case of a publicly traded partnership).

The property is acquired by the buyer for use as a residence and the amount realized (sales price) is not more than $300,000.
The property disposed of is an interest in a U.S. corporation if any class of stock of the corporation is regularly traded on an established securities market.
The property disposed of is an interest in a U.S. corporation that is not regularly traded on an established market and you (the seller) give the buyer a copy of a statement issued by the corporation certifying that the interest is not a U.S. real property interest.
You (the seller) give the buyer a certification stating, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a foreign person, and containing your name, U.S. taxpayer identification number, and home address.
The buyer receives a withholding certificate from the Internal Revenue Service.
You give the buyer written notice that you are not required to recognize any gain or loss on the transfer because of a nonrecognition provision in the Internal Revenue Code or a provision in a U.S. tax treaty. The buyer must file a copy of the notice with the Internal Revenue Service Center, P.O. Box 21086, DP 8731 FIRPTA Unit, Philadelphia, PA 19114–0586. You must verify the notice as true and sign it under penalties of perjury. The notice must contain the following information.
1. A statement that the notice is a notice of nonrecognition under regulation section 1.1445–2(d)(2).
2. Your name, taxpayer identification number, and home address.
3. A statement that you are not required to recognize any gain or loss on the transfer.
4. A brief description of the transfer.
5. A brief summary of the law and facts supporting your claim that recognition of gain or loss is not required.
The amount you realize on the transfer of a U.S. real property interest is zero.
The property is acquired by the United States, a U.S. state or possession, a political subdivision, or the District of Columbia.

The certifications in (3) and (4) must be disregarded by the buyer if the buyer has actual knowledge, or receives notice from a seller's or buyer's agent, that they are false.

Withholding certificates.

The tax required to be withheld on a disposition can be reduced or eliminated under a withholding certificate issued by the IRS. Either you or the buyer can request a withholding certificate.

A withholding certificate can be issued due to any of the following.

The IRS determines that reduced withholding is appropriate because either:
1. The amount required to be withheld would be more than your maximum tax liability, or
2. Withholding of the reduced amount would not jeopardize collection of the tax.
All of your realized gain is exempt from U.S. tax.
You or the buyer enter into an agreement for the payment of tax providing security for the tax liability.

Get Publication 515 and Form 8288–B for information on procedures to request a withholding certificate.

Credit for tax withheld.

The buyer must report and pay over the withheld tax within 20 days after the transfer using Form 8288, U.S. Withholding Tax Return for Dispositions by Foreign Persons of U.S. Real Property Interests. This form is filed with the IRS with copies A and B of Form 8288–A, Statement of Withholding on Dispositions by Foreign Persons of U.S. Real Property Interests. Copy B of this statement will be stamped received by the IRS and returned to you (the seller). You must file Copy B with your tax return to take credit for the tax withheld.

If you work as an employee in the United States, you must pay social security and Medicare taxes in most cases. Your payments of these taxes contribute to your coverage under the U.S. social security system. Social security coverage provides retirement benefits and medical insurance (Medicare) benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements.

In most cases, the first $84,900 of taxable wages received in 2002 for services performed in the United States is subject to social security tax. All taxable wages are subject to Medicare tax. Your employer deducts these taxes from each wage payment. Your employer must deduct these taxes even if you do not expect to qualify for social security or Medicare benefits. You can claim a credit for excess social security tax on your income tax return if you have more than one employer and the amount deducted from your combined wages for 2002 is more than $5,263.80. Use the worksheet in chapter 3 of Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, to figure your credit.

If any one employer deducted more than $5,263.80, you cannot claim a credit for that amount. Ask your employer to refund the excess.

In general, U.S. social security and Medicare taxes apply to payments of wages for services performed as an employee in the United States, regardless of the citizenship or residence of either the employee or the employer. In limited situations, these taxes apply to wages for services performed outside the United States. Your employer should be able to tell you if social security and Medicare taxes apply to your wages. You cannot make voluntary payments if no taxes are due.

Generally, services performed by you as a nonresident alien temporarily in the United States as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (F), (J), (M), or (Q) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are not covered under the social security program if the services are performed to carry out the purpose for which you were admitted to the United States. This means that there will be no withholding of social security or Medicare taxes from the pay you receive for these services. These types of services are very limited, and generally include only on-campus work, practical training, and economic hardship employment.

However, you are covered under the social security program for these services if you are considered a resident alien as discussed in chapter 1, even though your nonimmigrant classification (“F,” “J,” “M,” or “Q”) remains the same. Social security and Medicare taxes will be withheld from your pay.

If you are a nonresident alien admitted to the United States as a student, you generally are not permitted to work for a wage or salary or to engage in business while you are in the United States. In some cases, a student admitted to the United States in “F–1,” “M–1,” or “J–1” status is granted permission to work, and it is so noted on the student's copy of Immigration Form I–94, Arrival-Departure Record. Social security and Medicare taxes are not withheld from pay for the work unless the student is considered a resident alien.

Any student who is enrolled and regularly attending classes at a school may be exempt from social security and Medicare taxes on pay for services performed for that school.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) (and its successor organizations) permits on-campus work for students in “F–1” status if it does not displace a U.S. resident. On-campus work means work performed on the school's premises. On-campus work includes work performed at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. On-campus work under the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship is considered part of the academic program of a student taking a full course of study and is permitted by the INS. In this case, the educational institution endorses the Form I–20. Social security and Medicare taxes are not withheld from pay for this work unless the student is considered a resident alien.

Students in “F–1” status may be permitted to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training includes work/study programs, internships, and cooperative education programs. In this case, the educational institution endorses the Form I-20. Social security and Medicare taxes are not withheld from pay for this work unless the student is considered a resident alien.

Employment due to severe economic necessity and for optional practical training is sometimes permitted for students in “F–1” status. Students granted permission to work due to severe economic necessity or for optional practical training will be issued Form I–688B or Form I–766 by INS. Social security and Medicare taxes are not withheld from pay for this work unless the student is considered a resident alien.

Students in “M–1” status who have completed a course of study can accept employment or practical training for up to six months and must have a Form I–688B or Form I–766 issued by INS. Social security and Medicare taxes are not withheld from “M–1” students' pay for these services unless the student is considered a resident alien.

In all other cases, any services performed by a nonresident alien student are not considered as performed to carry out the purpose for which the student was admitted to the United States. Social security and Medicare taxes will be withheld from pay for the services unless the pay is exempt under the Internal Revenue Code.

Nonresident aliens are admitted to the United States as nonimmigrant exchange visitors under section 101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act through the sponsorship of approved organizations and institutions that are responsible for establishing a program for the exchange visitor and for any later modification of that program. Generally, an exchange visitor who has the permission of the sponsor can work for the same reasons as the students discussed above. In these cases, permission is granted by a letter from the exchange visitor's sponsor or by endorsement from the program sponsor on Form IAP–66, Certificate of Eligibility or Form DS–2019.

Social security and Medicare taxes are not withheld on pay for services of an exchange visitor who has been given permission to work and who possesses or obtains a letter of authorization from the sponsor unless the exchange visitor is considered a resident alien.

In all other cases, services performed by an exchange visitor are not considered as performed to carry out the purpose for which the visitor was admitted to the United States. Social security and Medicare taxes are withheld from pay for the services unless the pay is exempt under the Internal Revenue Code.

If you are a “J–1” visa holder, your spouse or child may be permitted to work in the United States with the prior approval of the INS and issuance of Form I–688B or Form I–766.

Nonresident aliens admitted to the United States as participants in cultural exchange programs under section 101(a)(15)(Q) of the Immigration and Nationality Act may be exempt from social security and Medicare taxes. Aliens with “Q” visas are aliens whose employment or training affords the opportunity for culture-sharing with the American public. They are allowed to work in the United States for a specific employer in an approved cultural exchange program. The employer must be the petitioner through whom the alien obtained the “Q” visa. Social security and Medicare taxes are not withheld from pay for this work unless the alien is considered a resident alien. Aliens with “Q” visas are not permitted to engage in employment outside the exchange program activities.

If social security or Medicare taxes were withheld in error from pay that is not subject to these taxes, contact the employer who withheld the taxes for a refund. If you are unable to get a full refund of the amount from your employer, file a claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service on Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. Attach the following items to Form 843.

File Form 843 (with attachments) with the IRS office where your employer's returns were filed. If you do not know where your employer's returns were filed, file Form 843 with the Internal Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255.

Self-employment tax is the social security and Medicare taxes for individuals who are self-employed. Nonresident aliens are not subject to self-employment tax. Residents of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa are considered U.S. residents for this purpose and are subject to the self-employment tax.

Resident aliens must pay self-employment tax under the same rules that apply to U.S. citizens. However, a resident alien employed by an international organization, a foreign government, or a wholly-owned instrumentality of a foreign government is not subject to the self-employment tax on income earned in the United States.

Self-employment income you receive while you are a resident alien is subject to self-employment tax even if it was paid for services you performed as a nonresident alien.

Reporting self-employment tax.

Use Schedule SE (Form 1040) to report and figure your self-employment tax. Then enter the tax on line 56 of Form 1040 and attach Schedule SE to Form 1040.

Deduction for one-half of self-employment tax.

If you must pay self-employment tax, you can deduct one-half of the self-employment tax paid in figuring your adjusted gross income.

More information.

Get Publication 533 for more information about self-employment tax.

The United States has entered into social security agreements with foreign countries to coordinate social security coverage and taxation of workers employed for part or all of their working careers in one of the countries. These agreements are commonly referred to as totalization agreements. Under these agreements, dual coverage and dual contributions (taxes) for the same work are eliminated. The agreements generally make sure that social security taxes (including self-employment tax) are paid only to one country. Agreements are in effect with the following countries.

Employees.

Generally, under these agreements, you are subject to social security taxes only in the country where you are working. However, if you are temporarily sent to work for the same employer in the United States and your pay would normally be subject to social security taxes in both countries, most agreements provide that you remain covered only by the social security system of the country from which you were sent. You can get more information on any agreement by contacting the U.S. Social Security Administration at the address given later. If you have access to the Internet, you can get more information at www.ssa.gov/international.

To establish that your pay is subject only to foreign social security taxes and is exempt from U.S. social security taxes (including the Medicare tax) under an agreement, you or your employer should request a certificate of coverage from the appropriate agency of the foreign country. This will usually be the same agency to which you or your employer pays your foreign social security taxes. The foreign agency will be able to tell you what information is needed for them to issue the certificate. Your employer should keep a copy of the certificate because it may be needed to show why you are exempt from U.S. social security taxes. Only wages paid on or after the effective date of the agreement can be exempt from U.S. social security taxes.

Some of the countries with which the United States has agreements will not issue certificates of coverage. In this case, either you or your employer should request a statement that your wages are not covered by the U.S. social security system. Request the statement from the following address.

U.S. Social Security Administration
Office of International Programs
P.O. Box 17741
Baltimore, MD 21235–7741

Self-employed individuals.

Under most agreements, self-employed individuals are covered by the social security system of the country where they reside. However, under some agreements, you may be exempt from U.S. self-employment tax if you temporarily transfer your business activity to or from the United States.

If you believe that your self-employment income is subject only to U.S. self-employment tax and is exempt from foreign social security taxes, request a certificate of coverage from the U.S. Social Security Administration at the address given earlier. This certificate will establish your exemption from foreign social security taxes.

To establish that your self-employment income is subject only to foreign social security taxes and is exempt from U.S. self-employment tax, request a certificate of coverage from the appropriate agency of the foreign country. If the foreign country will not issue the certificate, you should request a statement that your income is not covered by the U.S. social security system. Request it from the U.S. Social Security Administration at the address given earlier. Attach a photocopy of either statement to Form 1040 each year you are exempt. Also print “Exempt, see attached statement” on the line for self-employment tax.

You may have income from which no U.S. income tax is withheld. Or the amount of tax withheld may be less than the income tax you estimate you will owe at the end of the year. If so, you may have to pay estimated tax.

Generally, you must make estimated tax payments for 2003 if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax and you expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of:

If your adjusted gross income for 2002 was more than $150,000 ($75,000 if your filing status for 2003 is married filing separately), substitute 110% for 100% in (2) above if you are not a farmer or fisherman.

A nonresident alien should use Form 1040–ES (NR) to figure and pay estimated tax. Checks should be made payable to the "United States Treasury."

How to estimate your tax for 2003.

If you filed a 2002 return on Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR–EZ and expect your income, number of exemptions, and total deductions for 2003 to be nearly the same, you should use your 2002 return as a guide to complete the Estimated Tax Worksheet in the Form 1040–ES (NR) instructions. If you did not file a return for 2002, or if your income, exemptions, deductions, or credits will be different for 2003, you must estimate these amounts. Figure your estimated tax liability using the Tax Rate Schedule in the 2003 Form 1040–ES (NR) instructions for your filing status.

Note.

If you expect to be a resident of Puerto Rico during the entire year, use Form 1040–ES or Forma 1040–ES (Español).

When to pay estimated tax.

Make your first estimated tax payment by the due date for filing the previous year's Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR–EZ. If you have wages subject to the same withholding rules that apply to U.S. citizens, you must file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR–EZ and make your first estimated tax payment by April 15, 2003. If you do not have wages subject to withholding, file your income tax return and make your first estimated tax payment by June 16, 2003.

If your first estimated tax payment is due April 15, 2003, you can pay your estimated tax in full at that time or in four equal installments by the dates shown next.

1st installment	April 15, 2003
2nd installment	June 16, 2003
3rd installment	Sept. 15, 2003
4th installment	Jan. 15, 2004

If your first payment is not due until June 16, 2003, you can pay your estimated tax in full at that time or:

½ of your estimated tax by June 16, 2003,
¼ of the tax by September 15, 2003, and
¼ by January 15, 2004.

You do not have to make the payment due January 15, 2004, if you file your 2003 Form 1040NR or 1040NR–EZ by February 2, 2004, and pay the entire balance due with your return.