Archive · 27 Oct 2025
US Considers Taxing OPT Student Workers
The US government is considering a new tax on foreign students working in the U.S. under the OPT program.
This is a special program for students with visas to work in the US for a certain time.
The proposed law would make these students pay taxes like other workers.
The money would go to Social Security and Medicare, but the students wouldn't be able to use these services.
A senator said that the goal is to make it less appealing for companies to hire foreign workers.
Some students believe that it is not fair as they will be paying for services they cannot use.
US Congress is considering the 'OPT Fair Tax Act'.
The Act would end FICA tax exemptions for OPT student workers.
FICA funds Social Security and Medicare.
Currently, employers and OPT workers are exempt from FICA tax.
The Act aims to incentivize hiring American workers.
- Who
- US Congress, Senator Tom Cotton, OPT student workers
- What
- Considering a tax on student workers in the U.S.
- When
- Current proposal
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To remove incentives for hiring foreign workers and prioritize American workers.
Student Perspective
Senator's Perspective
Fairness of Taxation
Student Perspective
OPT workers will be paying for services (Social Security and Medicare) that they cannot use.
Senator's Perspective
The tax is intended to reduce incentives for hiring foreign workers and to prioritize American workers.
- Proposed Legislation
- OPT Fair Tax Act
- Introduced by
- Senator Tom Cotton
- Tax Affected
- FICA (Social Security & Medicare)
- Current Status
- Proposed
- Tax Rate if Passed
- 7.65% of salary
- Current Exemption
- Both employer and employee exempt from FICA tax