Still waiting on my FICA tax reimbursement as a nonresident alien - what options do I have?

The FICA reimbursement process for nonresident aliens is separate from the regular tax refund process, which explains why you got your normal refund but not the FICA portion. The IRS and SSA handle these differently. At this point, I'd recommend sending the documents again, but with some additional steps to ensure tracking. Use certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery. Also, include a cover letter explaining this is a second submission and reference the date of your first submission. Make copies of absolutely everything you send. While you'll likely need to wait additional processing time, having a duplicate submission shouldn't cause problems as the IRS will identify it's the same taxpayer and tax year. They'll either process the first submission (if it eventually turns up) or the second one, but they won't process both as double refunds. Since it's been 16 weeks with no record of receipt, it's reasonable to assume the first submission may have been lost. The IRS has been experiencing significant mail processing delays, so this isn't uncommon.

I was in the exact same situation last year with my OPT FICA reimbursement nowhere to be found. After months of frustration, I tried using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it made a huge difference. They have this specific tool that helps analyze your tax documents for nonresident alien status and FICA exemptions. I uploaded my documents and they actually found a mistake in how I was filing for the FICA reimbursement - turns out I was using the wrong form version and missing a crucial attachment that proves nonresident status. They guided me through correcting everything and tracked my submission properly. My FICA reimbursement came through about 8 weeks later.

I just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai - I ended up trying it despite my initial skepticism. Their system immediately identified that I was missing Form 8843 (Evidence of Nonresident Alien Status) in my submission package, which was likely why my first attempt disappeared into the IRS void. The document review tool also flagged that I hadn't included a letter from my university confirming my student status during the tax year, which apparently helps speed up processing. I resubmitted everything with these corrections three weeks ago and just got confirmation that my package was received! Still waiting on the actual refund but at least I know it's in the system now.

Have you tried calling the IRS directly? I spent weeks trying to figure out my missing tax documents and couldn't get anywhere until I finally managed to speak with someone. The problem is their phone lines are constantly jammed. I discovered this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual IRS agent instead of waiting on hold forever. There's a demo video of how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically it navigates the phone system for you and calls you back when an agent is available. I was super frustrated after multiple failed attempts to reach anyone at the IRS about my international student tax situation, but using this service I got through in about 40 minutes instead of spending hours on hold. The agent I spoke with was able to locate my documents in their backlog and expedite the processing once I explained the situation.

I need to eat my words about the Claimyr service. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I was desperate to resolve my OPT FICA refund situation. Got connected to an IRS specialist in 37 minutes while I was able to continue working. The agent confirmed my first submission was actually received but was sitting in a processing backlog because of missing documentation (needed a copy of my I-94 and a statement from my employer). She flagged my case for follow-up and gave me a direct fax number to send the additional documents, which should expedite things by several weeks compared to regular mail. Without getting through to a knowledgeable agent, I would have just submitted duplicate paperwork and waited in uncertainty for months. Having someone actually look up my case in their system made all the difference.

Another option worth considering is reaching out to the Taxpayer Advocate Service. They're an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve issues. If you've been waiting for more than 30 days for a refund, they may be able to help, especially since you're dealing with an international tax situation which tends to be more complex. You can find more info about them here: https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/ I used them last year when I had issues with my tax documentation as an international researcher, and they were surprisingly helpful in tracking down my paperwork.

Quick tip from someone who's been through this: Make sure you're including Form 843 specifically for the FICA refund request, not just an amended return. Many international students don't realize these are separate processes. Also, attach a copy of your I-94, visa documentation, passport ID page, and a letter from your international student office confirming your visa/OPT status. I had success when I included a cover letter clearly stating "FICA TAX REFUND REQUEST - NONRESIDENT ALIEN ON F-1 VISA" in bold at the top.

I went through this exact same nightmare last year and want to share what finally worked for me. After my first submission disappeared into the IRS black hole, I took a multi-pronged approach: 1. Used certified mail with return receipt for my second submission (as others mentioned) 2. Called the Taxpayer Advocate Service after 20 weeks of waiting - they were incredibly helpful and actually located my original submission stuck in processing 3. Made sure I had ALL required documents: Form 843, Form 8843, copy of I-94, visa pages, I-20/DS-2019, employer letter confirming FICA withholding, and university letter confirming F-1 status The key thing the Taxpayer Advocate told me was that FICA refunds for nonresident aliens go through a manual review process that's completely separate from regular refunds, which is why it takes so much longer. They also confirmed that having duplicate submissions won't hurt you - they'll just process whichever one they find first. My refund ($2,850) finally came through about 6 weeks after the Taxpayer Advocate got involved. Don't give up - this money is rightfully yours and they will eventually process it correctly!