Withheld for a full year
Summer-only income usually means too much federal tax was taken from your paychecks.
J-1 Work & Travel · Au Pair
Work & Travel or Au Pair? Get your US taxes sorted.
Most participants overpay federal and state tax during the summer — and many have Social Security and Medicare withheld by mistake. We get it all back for you, online, from your home country. For this summer and up to 3 previous years.
- ★ 4.3 on Trustpilot
- Refund in 3–5 weeks on average
- Nothing to pay upfront
- Pay only when your return is ready
Form W-2Wage and Tax Statement · 2026
1 Wages$0.00
2 Federal tax$0.00
4 Social Security$0.00
6 Medicare$0.00
15 StateNJ
17 State tax$0.00
Example
Estimated refund
$0
- Filed
- Accepted by IRS
- Refund on its way
3–5 weeks average refund time
Work & Travel refund calculator
See your refund in 30 seconds
Most Work & Travel and au pair participants get back federal tax, Social Security and Medicare. Check yours.
- Federal, FICA and state refund in one place
- Tax treaties for 60+ countries, including the 100% exemption for Moldova, Georgia and other CIS countries
- Exact state tax for 13 states, including NJ, NY, CA, MD and VA
Why you probably overpaid
You worked for a few months, but your employer withheld tax as if you earned that much all year.
Refundable in many states
Worked in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia or another state with income tax? Part of it may come back too.
Shouldn't be withheld at all
J-1 participants are exempt from Social Security and Medicare. If you see them on your paystub, we claim them back.
Your timeline
Tell us when you fly home and see when your money should arrive.
Before you fly home
Create my account nowPrice for Work & Travel and Au Pair
Tick what you need. Most participants file federal and state and claim FICA back.
From Work & Travel participants
“I'm from Romania and was a Work & Travel participant. Super happy I used Tax From US to get my taxes back!”
“I only had to upload 4 documents. I sent the last one on February 7 — and had the money on April 1.”
“The first time I used an agency and got half my money after six months. With Tax From US I got the full amount back.”
See how it works
Work & Travel tax refund in 60 seconds1:30
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Work & Travel tax questions
Do I have to file a US tax return?
Yes. J-1 participants who earned income in the US are required to file. Filing is also the only way to get overpaid tax back.
I'm an au pair. Is it the same for me?
Au pairs are on a J-1 visa too, so you're also exempt from Social Security and Medicare. One difference: host families often don't withhold income tax from your stipend, so you may owe a small amount instead of getting a refund. We work out the exact number and file on time, so there are no penalties.
I didn't file last year. Can I still get my money?
Usually yes — we file for up to 3 previous years.
My employer never sent my W-2.
Our document retrieval service contacts your employer and gets it for you (from $75).
Can I use TurboTax?
No. TurboTax is for US residents. As a J-1 participant you're a nonresident and file Form 1040-NR. Filing the wrong form can cause problems with future US visas.
How do I receive the money abroad?
To a US bank account or to Wise, Revolut or Payoneer. We'll help you choose.
Work & Travel agency or J-1 sponsor?
Give your participants an access code for free federal filing.