Hi,

I arrived in the US on 23rd June, 2008. My Wife joined me on 5th Of September, 2008. I stayed in Pennsylvania till 31st August, 2008 and now in NEW JERSEY since then. I have a Fed Income Tax withheld of 4200. SS withheld 2089, Medicare tax withheld of 488, NJ State Tax 702 and PA withheld of 233. I would like to understand how much should I get return. Also do we get refund from SSN withheld and Medicare Withheld and how much in percentage if you can tell.

Please let me know as I am filling for the first time and have no clue whatsoever.

Also, Since I have spend more time in NJ - (1st September, 2008- tilldate) and (june 23rd, 2008 - 31 August, 2008), would I get the NJ refund more as compared to PA?

Please advise.

Thanks and Warm Regards,

Chinu_Rinku

Type of visa? Your citizenship? Your total income for 2008? Are you filing resident return or nonresident return?
Only then it may be possible to answer your question.

Type of visa? Your citizenship? Your total income for 2008? Are you filing resident return or nonresident return?
Only then it may be possible to answer your question.

Thanks for your response. I am on L1 my wife is on L2. My total income for 2008 is 34486.
And I am filing resident return.

Also if you can let me know whether I am eligible for the economic stimulus and how much.

Thanks.
Chinu_rinku

Chinu:

If your wife needs to apply for an ITIN, then you will NOT be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit. I cannot say about the new stimulus rebate as that decision has not yet been announced.

You REALLY need to get professional tax help, because you have to file part-year returns for TWO states, PLUS apply for an ITIN for your wife, PLUS submit a Residency Choice Statement with your joint return.

If you want my help, email me at [email protected].

Chinu:

If your wife needs to apply for an ITIN, then you will NOT be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit. I cannot say about the new stimulus rebate as that decision has not yet been anounced.

You REALLY need to get professional tax help, because you have to file part-year returns for TWO states, PLUS apply for an ITIN for your wife, PLUS submit a Residency Choice Statement with your joint return.

If you want my help, email me at [email protected].

Thank you for your reply.My wife has her SSN. So , I don't require ITIN. Is it right. I wanted to know the figures for my tax return.

Chinu:

Okay, but because you were NOT in the U.S. at any time in 2007, you ARE NOT eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit. Sorry!

I stand by my recommendation that you get professional tax help, because, if you file as resident aliens, you also MUST include the income earned by BOTH of you while in your home country, THEN you need to calculate the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116).

This is a return that a fair number of tax professionals would find difficult to handle!!

It shows a considerable amount of hubris on your part to expect that you can properly prepare a return of his level of complexity.