H1B/OPT/CPT Paycheck Calculator

Visa-specific take-home payroll tool with automated FICA tax exemptions.

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Paycheck Details

$ / hr
$8,450
Net Monthly Take-Home ($101,400 / yr)
OPT/CPT FICA Tax Savings Enabled! F-1 students on OPT/CPT visa are exempt from 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare taxes for tax purposes. You save 7.65% on gross, which is +$497.25/month in take-home pay compared to H-1B holders!
* Disclaimer: FICA exemption depends on your Substantial Presence Test status and is generally limited to your first 5 calendar years in F-1 status. Confirm your status with a tax professional.
Tax Deduction Category Hourly Rate Monthly Payout Annual Value

Take-Home Comparison by State

State FICA Status Effective Tax % Annual Take-Home

Guide: F-1 OPT/CPT FICA Tax Exemption Rules

What is the F-1 visa FICA tax exemption?

The F-1 visa FICA tax exemption is a tax benefit under IRC Section 3121(b)(19) that exempts F-1 non-resident international students from paying Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes.

This exemption generally covers the first 5 calendar years of presence in the US. Once a student exceeds 5 calendar years, they transition to a resident alien for tax purposes under the Substantial Presence Test (SPT) and become subject to full FICA taxes (7.65% total).

How does H-1B tax liability compare to F-1 OPT?

H-1B visa holders are subject to full FICA payroll taxes from day one of their status, unlike nonresident F-1 OPT students who are exempt from these taxes.

When you transition from F-1 OPT status to an H-1B visa, your tax liabilities change immediately. This transition results in an immediate 7.65% cut in your net take-home pay, even if your gross hourly rate or salary remains exactly the same.

Which states have the lowest state income tax for consultants?

The states with the lowest state income tax are Texas (TX), Florida (FL), and Washington (WA), which levy a flat 0% state income tax.

  • No State Tax States: States like Texas (TX), Florida (FL), and Washington (WA) do not levy state-level income tax. This makes them highly lucrative hubs for remote and onsite IT consultants.
  • Progressive Tax States: California (CA), New York (NY), and New Jersey (NJ) have progressive income brackets where high earners are taxed up to 13.3% at the state level.
  • Flat Tax States: Illinois (IL) has a flat state income tax rate of 4.95%.