Employment taxes

• Federal income tax is progressive, with multiple tax brackets (rates scale up as income rises).
• Most employees also pay state income tax (and sometimes city/local tax), depending on where you live and work.
• Social Security tax: 6.2% withheld from your wages (up to an annual wage base).
• Medicare tax: 1.45% withheld from wages, plus an extra 0.9% withheld above certain income thresholds.
• Your employer withholds these from each paycheck and reports them through payroll.

Leave policy

• Vacation: No federal law requires paid vacation, so it’s a company policy (many employers offer PTO).
• Public holidays: Private employers aren’t required by federal law to give paid time off for federal holidays, but many do.
• Sick leave: No federal paid sick leave requirement, but many states and cities require it (rules vary).
• Maternity, paternity, parental leave: The big federal baseline is unpaid, job-protected leave under FMLA for eligible employees at covered employers.

Employment termination

• Many U.S. roles are “at-will,” meaning either side can end employment at any time (unless a contract, union agreement, or law changes that).
• Notice period is often not required for ordinary resignations/terminations (but policies vary by employer and state).
• Severance pay is typically not guaranteed by law; it’s commonly offered by employers as part of a separation package.

Hiring and contracts

• Contract language: English is standard.
• Common formats: offer letter + at-will agreement, or a formal employment agreement for senior/specialized roles.
• Contracts should include job title, pay rate, pay schedule, benefits eligibility, start date, work location, termination terms, confidentiality, IP ownership, non-solicit/non-compete (rules vary a lot by state).
• Probation: often an informal “intro period” (commonly 60-90 days) tied to benefits eligibility, not a fixed legal concept.

Payroll and salary payments

• Currency: USD.
• Pay frequency: bi-weekly is the most common, but weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly exist.
• Federal minimum wage: $7.25/hour (many states and cities set higher minimums).
• Payslips: In practice, you’ll usually get an itemized pay statement each payday (requirements depend on state). Payslips should include gross pay, hours (if hourly), taxes withheld, benefits deductions, net pay.

Benefits

• Mandatory: Social Security and Medicare, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and FMLA eligibility for covered employers.
• Optional: Employer-sponsored health insurance (medical, dental, vision), PTO, 401(k) retirement plan (often with matching), life insurance, disability insurance, wellness perks, learning budget.

Monthly living cost (Washington D.C.)

D.C. is expensive, but it’s also very livable if you pick your neighborhood well.

• Rent (1-bedroom in/near central areas): often $2,300–$3,200/month
• Utilities: $150–$250/month (season matters)
• Internet: $50–$90/month
• Groceries: $350–$650/month (single person)
• Public transport: Metro + bus can be cheaper than owning a car. Many commuters use monthly passes
• Coffee, dining, going out: you can spend $200/month or $800/month depending on your habits

How to get a local ID number

• Residents and employees usually need a Social Security Number (SSN) for payroll and taxes. The SSN is de facto the national identification number.
• You apply at any Social Security Administration (SSA) office for the SSN after you have the right immigration status and work authorization.

Social security registration

• There’s no separate registration step for most employees. Once you’re on payroll with an SSN, Social Security and Medicare taxes are withheld automatically.
• Social Security withholding applies up to an annual wage base (it changes over time).

Banking

• To open a bank account you will need passport/ID, proof of address, and often an SSN.
• Popular banks: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, Capital One.
• Many people also use online-first options for fee-free checking and fast transfers.

Housing and rental process

• Lease agreement are almost always in writing. It usually includes the rent amount, lease term, security deposit, utilities/responsibilities, maintenance rules, guest/pet policies, renewal terms, and how termination works. Most leases are 12 months, but 6-month and month-to-month options exist depending on the market and landlord.
• Deposits: Often 1 month’s rent.
• Tenant rights: City/state rules matter a lot (repair timelines, security deposit rules, eviction process). In D.C., renters have stronger protections than many places.

Healthcare system

• Most working adults rely on employer-sponsored insurance if it’s offered.
• If you don’t have employer coverage, you can buy a plan privately.
• Expect out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays) even with insurance, so it’s worth reading plan details.

Driving and public transport

• D.C. is Metro-friendly: Metrorail + buses cover most daily needs.
• Driving is useful for weekend trips, but parking can be a headache and traffic is real.
• License rules depend on the state. If you become a resident, you’ll usually need to switch to a local driver’s license after a set period.

Emergency and important contacts

• Emergency (police, fire, medical): 911
• Non-urgent city services (in many places): 311

Work permit and visa requirements

• U.S. immigration is complex and changes often, so always double-check requirements for your exact situation.
• If you’re not a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, you need explicit authorization to work, usually either:
  - a work-authorized nonimmigrant status tied to an approved employer petition (ex: H-1B, L-1),
  - or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS (Form I-765).
• You need a job offer first. Most U.S. work visas are employer-sponsored and start with a role + employer willing to petition.
• In most cases, the employer acts as sponsor. Your U.S. legal employer generally files a petition with USCIS (commonly Form I-129 for many temporary work visa categories).
• If you’re outside the U.S., the petition approval usually comes before the visa. After USCIS approves the petition, you apply for the actual visa stamp at a U.S. embassy/consulate (this is the travel document that lets you enter).
• You can only start working when you’re authorized.
  - For H-1B/L-1: work authorization is tied to the approved petition/status (and the sponsoring employer).
  - For EAD-based work: you can work only after you receive the EAD (approved I-765).
• Every U.S. employer must verify your identity + work authorization using Form I-9 for every new hire.
• The legal employer must complete the employer review portion within 3 business days of your start date, after reviewing acceptable documents (passport, Green Card, EAD, etc.).

Business culture and work norms

• Direct communication is normal. People will say what they mean in meetings and emails.
• “Time is money” shows up everywhere: punctuality, tight agendas, quick follow-ups.
• Networking matters: referrals, intros, and industry meetups can move your job search faster than applying cold.
• Results get noticed. Switching companies for growth is common.