sristi, to answer your question about how much tax one pays.. it is based on the amount of check and how often check is issued (i.e. weekly, biweekly, semi monthly, monthly etc). it is not fixed as SS=6.4% and MED=1.25% now if you are in CA you need to add more 1.21% for emp insurance sth.. similar. by the way 7.65% is the combined rate of Social Security and Medicare.. contributed each by employee and employer... another thing is you have to pay property tax too .. remember . that whether you are resident or non-resident... [ property tax for your vehicles ] (O: ====================================================