An H-1B worker in the US has been left stranded by their employer. After switching from an F-1 visa to an H-1B in October 2024, the employee realized that his new company forgot to withhold FICA taxes and now, they’re stuck with the mess.
FICA taxes, which cover Social Security and Medicare, aren’t required for F-1 visa holders. However, once the visa changed, the company should have deducted the amount from his salary.
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The worker found out about this while filing taxes and reached out to his employer, thinking they would help. Instead, after dragging his feet for over a month, the employer refused to issue a corrected W-2 form.
Now, the H-1B is stressed doing what his company should’ve done. He will have to pay the taxes directly to the IRS and pretend the employer’s part doesn’t exist.
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People say the employer is legally responsible for both sides of the FICA taxes. But who’s holding them accountable?
For H-1B workers, this isn’t just a small inconvenience. Mistakes like these can snowball, especially when it’s time to apply for a green card.
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If you try to speak up against your employer you could even risk getting laid off. And with everything being uncertain for immigrants, that would be the employee’s worst nightmare.
Sadly, this is just another reminder that when companies mess up, it’s the immigrant workers who pay the price.
