Yesterday I went to the Finance Officer at the board of education and filled out a form requesting a refund of the FICA/Social Security taxes (7.65% of gross salary) that I paid since the beginning of this year (over $1,000). Because I am leaving before 183 days of the third calendar year (2007) have passed, I am eligible for the refund, so long as I promise not to return to the United States for the rest of the year. Hopefully the money will be deposited within a week. I have some great plans for it.