hi I am a J1 vis aholder. For the year 2006 i filed my taxes as a "single".
I got marrie dthis year and my wife joined me in the last week of september.
she has taken up any job till the end of December 2006. but started to work from 1st of january 2007.
so when i file my taxes for the year 2006, do i hvae to file for my wife also or not?

if i have to file do i get any benefits since she was my dependent without a job.
is there any restriction that the dependent has to be present here in the country for a fixed number of days in order to get the benefits.

could any one please clarify me.

thanks

Assuming you are required to file a tax return and pay taxes, you do not HAVE to claim your wife as a dependent, but I think you would want to, since that would reduce your tax liability.

I do not have enough information to determine if you are exempt from taxes or not.