Social security and Medicare tax deduction on OPT status

[rigvi]

Hi, 

 

I recently finished my PhD (Aug 2014) and started working in a company on OPT since the September of 2014. I have noticed that my current employer is deducting social security and medicare taxes from my pay check. When I asked about this to my employer, they said since it has been more than 5 years that I came  to the US, I am considered a resident for tax purposes and hence the deduction. I came to the US in 2006 but my previous employer (University) never deducted these taxes though at that time I have been in US for more than 5 years. I heard from my friends too that as long as you are on OPT (or F-1), these taxes will never be deducted, no matter how long you have been in the US. Is that true?

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

R

[JoeF]

The employer is right.