Insights
Visa pay, taxes & bonuses, explained
Source-cited guides on the tax questions work-visa holders search for most: bonus and supplemental withholding, FICA exemptions, and how your paycheck is actually taxed. New articles every few weeks.
Is an H-1B Holder a Resident Alien? The Substantial Presence Test for 2026
H-1B holders are not automatically resident aliens. Residency is decided by the substantial presence test, a day-count with a three-year weighting. This guide explains the formula, why H-1B holders count every day while F-1 and J-1 holders do not, and what nonresident status costs you in real dollars for 2026.
2026 Bonus Tax Rates by State: How Supplemental Wages Are Withheld
Bonuses are not taxed at a special higher rate. They are withheld differently. This guide covers the 2026 federal supplemental rate (22% and 37%), every state's supplemental wage withholding rate (California 10.23%, New York 11.7%, and the rest), and why the amount withheld is not the amount you owe.