Following is a list of resources that may answer many of the questions you have as a new or continuing postdoc. Please feel free to contact the Headquarters Office in 68-132, 617-253-4701 if you have additional questions. Also see the Postdoctoral Scholars at MIT website for useful information.

Housing
The MIT Off-Campus Housing Office has listings for area rentals. You will need your MIT ID Card to access the online listings and to visit the Housing Office.

Classified rental listings are available online at Boston.com.

Transportation
MIT strongly recommends using public transportation when possible. Contact the MIT Parking and Transportation Office for the MIT T-pass program (MBTA). Parking spaces are also available on a limited basis. Contact the Biology Parking Coordinator in the Headquarters Office for information on eligibility and availability.

Zipcar is a car-share program that provides an excellent alternative to owning a car. When used in conjunction with public transportation, it can help satisfy your transportation needs. MIT sponsors several Zipcar parking spaces around campus and has a sponsor relationship with Zipcar at very favorable discounts.

You can join Zipcar online at www.zipcar.com. Just follow the links to "apply." Select "I'm affiliated with an existing organization." Enter "MIT" and choose the MIT - Staff & Grads account. Zipcar will verify your employment at MIT and process your application electronically.

Social Security
International scholars often have questions regarding obtaining a Social Security card. The Social Security Administration web site may answer some of these questions.

Visa Information
MIT International Scholars Office: The MIT International Scholars Office (ISO) assists MIT faculty and staff in bringing international scholars to campus for a variety of purposes. The ISO advises on immigration matters, issues visa documents, and provides information and guidance on a wide range of issues such as employment of spouses, health insurance, taxes, language courses, and general information about MIT and the Cambridge/Boston area. Weekly orientation sessions for scholars and their families are held throughout the year.

Immigration and Naturalization Service – visa information for temporary/exchange visitors.

Work/Family
Located in 16-151, 617-253-1592, the The Center for Work, Family and Personal Life can assist you with a range of services relating to childcare, school arrangements, and work/family issues.

Another good on-campus resource for you and your family is Spouses & Partners @ MIT, sponsored by MIT Medical (617-253-1614).

Health
Health insurance benefits are available through MIT, based on your appointment status: affiliate or associate.

An MIT Affiliate (Postdoc Fellow) is a postdoc who has his/her own funding, such as a fellowship. Affiliate health benefits are different from those available to MIT Associates. There are also other health benefits available to Fellows.

Associates are postdocs whose salaries are paid directly by MIT, usually from funding sources of the postdoc's faculty advisor. Associates are MIT employees, and thus eligible for benefits. See the Biology Human Resources office for further information.

Tax Information
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), income received from a postdoctoral appointment is considered taxable income.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents with the Postdoctoral Fellow appointment DO NOT have federal tax withheld from their stipends. Postdoctoral Fellows who do not have significant withholdings being taken from another income source must make estimated quarterly tax payments, as needed, directly to the IRS. Please obtain the IRS’ estimated tax forms in order to assess whether or not you will need to make estimated quarterly tax payments. These forms are available online from the IRS web site (PDF) or in Headquarters 68-132.

Nonresidents of the United States will have federal taxes withheld from their stipend awards at a flat rate of 14%. However, if one’s home country has an applicable fellowship tax treaty, s/he should complete the tax treaty forms which, when returned to the Payroll Office (E19-510), may reduce or eliminate federal tax withholding from the stipend. Scholars should refer to the tax laws of their country of citizenship, as they may owe tax in that country. Please contact the Payroll Office (617-452-2794) for more information on tax treaties.

To avoid penalty charges, taxes on this income must be paid in quarterly installments using Estimated Income Tax Vouchers for Individuals - look for Form 1-ES on the IRS website's Forms and Publications page.

• When to pay estimated tax: For estimated tax purposes, the year is divided into four payment periods; the payment due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15.
• If you have income subject to estimated tax during the first payment period, you must make your first payment by the due date for the first payment period. You can pay all your estimated tax at that time, or you can pay it in four installments.
• If any of the due dates fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is the following business day.
• For more information, please contact the IRS web page at IRS Home.

Also helpful is the Form W-4 (IRS web site) which includes a worksheet to help you determine your number of exemptions.

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