Homeward bound
Last day at work
Social Security Number
If you do not have your Social Security number one month before your DS-2019 ends, visit a local Social Security Administration office and check on the status of your application. It does not have to be the same office as the one where you filed your application.
W-2 Form Completion
Before your last day, give your correct contact information and Social Security number to your employer so they can mail your W-2 form (an earnings statement that you will use to complete your tax return).
Final Paycheck
Collect your final paycheck. If your employer cannot give it to you in person, it will have to be mailed to you or deposited into your bank account. Ask when you will receive it and make sure your employer has the necessary information to get it to you.
Next Year
Find out if it is possible for you to return next year and work for the same employer. The end of a successful season is a great time to get hired for next year!
Letter of Recommendation
Ask for a letter of recommendation. This can be an advantage when you are looking for future work.
Contact Information
Keep your employer’s contact information in case you need to contact them after you return home.
Take Care of Your Bank Account
We recommend opening a student account with minimal fees, as it can be beneficial even after returning home, especially for tax return purposes. Here are the guidelines for handling your bank account:
If You Close Your Account
Ensure your bank account remains open until you have received your final paycheck.
If you choose to close your account, ensure your employer has issued your last paycheck or made the final direct deposit.
Visit your bank to properly close the account. Bring your identification papers (passport, J-1 visa, and DS-2019). Clear any outstanding fees and withdraw all funds from the account. Provide your home country address if required.
If You Keep Your Account Open
We encourage you to keep your account open if it does not incur any fees. Keeping your account active can be beneficial for receiving direct deposits, such as tax refunds, or handling any unexpected bills once you return home. You will need to leave a few dollars in the account to maintain its active status.
Discuss with your bank the terms and conditions for keeping your account open, including any minimum balance requirements to avoid fees.
Verify that you can still access funds from your account in your home country.
Provide your updated contact information to the bank and take note of their contact details in case of any communication needs.
Opening a student account with minimal fees not only facilitates managing your finances during your stay but also allows you to keep it open for potential future needs, such as tax returns or future visits to the U.S.
Moving Out Of Your Apartment Or Room
Let your landlord know when you will be leaving, and be sure you have met the terms of your lease agreement.
It is important to leave your place the same way you found it, in good condition and clean. This helps ensure that all of your security deposit is returned to you. This is true for employer-provided housing as well.
If you have bought household items that you will leave behind, consider donating them to charity, giving them to neighbors or coworkers, or having a yard sale.
File Your Tax Return
You are required to pay federal, state, and sometimes local taxes. The good news is that you may be entitled to a refund of some or all of the taxes you paid while you worked in the United States.
W-2 Form
This form is sent by your employer by January 31 after the tax year ends. If you held more than one job, you will get a W-2 from each employer. Make sure that you give your employer(s) your home address so they can send the W-2 to you. Regardless if you file your taxes yourself or use a service, you will need your W-2.
Deadlines
You are required by law to file a U.S. tax return, even if you are back home by the end of the tax year. Tax returns must be filed by April 15 for the previous tax year (January 1 to December 31). This means that if you work over the winter, you will file two tax returns: one for what you earn through December 31, and the second for the money you make from January 1 through the end of the program.