OPT
Latest in OPT
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 needs USCIS-issued…
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 must start,…
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 purchase/exercise; sales…
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 lets taxpayers…
DHS Ending EAD Extensions Oct 30, 2025: Which Visas Are Affected
Starting October 30, 2025, most automatic EAD extensions end. File renewals up to 180 days early to reduce work authorization…
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 Form 1040-NR.…
DUI Could Put OPT Extensions and H-1B Processing in Limbo
A DUI arrest can freeze OPT extensions, slow or block H-1B processing, and risk visa refusal or revocation. Even without…
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 employees and…