Hi,

I have been in US earlier as L1 between 2001 - 2004 on and off. I have filed tax here before. For the consecutive 2 years 2005 & 2006 I was in India and have paid taxes till July 2007.

Now, I came to US on 31 July 2007 as L1 along with my wife as L2 dependent.she is a housewife and has no income. Neither she has a social secutirty # nor a TIN #. I would like to know couple of things:

a. If I can avail for "first year choice" as its less than 183 days? How and what rebate can I get for the same?

b. If "first yr choice" is not possible, then can I get more rebates as resident, how?

c. How can I get my tax refunded in a better manner: Single filing or Joint filing (with my dependent)

d. What all things can I include in my rebate / refund.
I bought a car. Can I use the car loan payment as rebate / refunded?

Thanks,
Raghu11

a. Yes, you can file resident tax return as married filing jointly as first year choice. You can file 2007 tax return only after you complete SPT in 2008. Attach W7 of your spouse.

b. No in that case you can only file nonresident tax return.
c. Read a and b
d. Car loan is not deductible. You can deduct moving expenses for you and your spouse. File form 3903.
Read more about moving expenses: Your U.S. Tax Return: Moving Expenses (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/02/moving-expenses.html)