F-1 Thanksgiving Travel: Essential Docs and Reentry Tips
For Thanksgiving 2025, F-1 students should confirm passport validity, F-1 visa stamp, and an I-20 travel signature (one…
Common OPT/CPT Mistakes That Risk F-1 Status and How to Avoid
Working before the EAD start date or not reporting employment can trigger SEVIS termination. CPT is school-approved; OPT…
Navigating F-1 to H-1B: Tax Residency and Payroll Traps
October 1 H-1B start dates change tax residency and payroll: FICA exemption ends, Social Security and Medicare withholding…
SEVIS Rules for Long India Trips: What F-1 Students Must Know
F-1 students risk SEVIS termination if abroad over five months without authorization. Keep I-20 signatures current (12 months;…
ESPP and Stock Options: When Salary Becomes Capital Gains
Equity pay shifts tax character across stages: ESPP discounts and NSO bargain elements taxable as ordinary income at…
India–U.S. Tax Reporting: A Practical Guide to Avoid Double Taxation
Differences in residency rules and tax years can cause double taxation for Indians in the U.S. The DTAA…
India–U.S. Tax Reporting: Avoiding Double Taxation and Documentation
Differing residency rules and fiscal years between India and the U.S. often create double‑taxation risks. Claiming foreign tax…
New U.S. Visa Surcharges 2025–2026: Indians, Students & Workers
From Jan 1, 2026, a $250 Integrity Fee will be added to most non-immigrant visas; new H-1B petitions…
Tax Checklist for F-1/OPT Students with Indian Bank Accounts
F-1 students usually remain nonresident aliens for five years and must file Form 8843; earning U.S. income requires…
U.S. Taxes for Remote India Work: Guide for H-1B, F-1, GC
Working from India for U.S. employers can trigger U.S. and Indian tax obligations. U.S. residents/citizens must file Form…
F-1 Tax Residency After Year 5: Indian Students’ Worldwide Income
After five calendar years, F-1 students begin counting U.S. days for the Substantial Presence Test on January 1…
FEIE vs FTC for H-1B and F-1 Income from India: Guidance
FEIE (Form 2555) excludes eligible wages earned abroad up to $130,000 (2025) if time tests are met; FTC…
NRIs Owning Indian Property While in the U.S.: Tax Rules
Simply owning Indian property does not trigger U.S. taxes if there’s no rent or sale. Reporting obligations focus…
US OPT Students Face Tax Changes, FICA Exemption on the Line
Two pending bills—the OPT Fair Tax Act and Dignity Act of 2025—would end FICA exemption for OPT, making…