报税

Of course. First, let me ask — are you a US citizen, a permanent resident, or here on a visa? Your tax obligation depends on your residency status.

Got it. As an H-1B holder, you're generally considered a resident for tax purposes if you've been here for at least a hundred and eighty-three days. You'll need your W-2 form from your employer. Have you received that yet?

The W-2 is the main one. But also bring any 1099 forms if you had freelance income, bank interest statements, and your Social Security number or ITIN. If you had any foreign bank accounts with over ten thousand dollars, we'll need to report those too.

If your employer withheld more tax from your paycheck than you actually owe, you'll get a refund. We'll calculate your actual tax liability and compare it to what was already paid. Most W-2 employees do get something back.

As a W-2 employee, the home office deduction isn't available to you — that's only for self-employed individuals. However, you can claim the standard deduction, which is fourteen thousand six hundred dollars for a single filer this year. That's the easiest route for most people.

If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, you'll typically get your refund within twenty-one days. Paper filing takes much longer — six to eight weeks. I'd recommend e-filing with direct deposit for the fastest turnaround.