Hello,
I am an Indian citizen currently on L1 visa in USA from June 2008.
Prior to that I was receiving Indian salary and paid taxes in India. After coming to USA in June 2008 , my Indian salary was stopped and I am only getting wages in USD here.
Do I need to mention about my Indian wages and taxes while filing the tax returns in USA ? Do I get any benefit by doing so?
My W2 form only mentions the USA wages and not the Indian part.

Thanks in advance,
Svenska.

Date you entered the U.S. Are you married?

Date you entered the U.S.? Are you married?

Hi- Thanks for replying. Yes , I am married and my spouse is also here on L2 ( not working).
My date of arrival in US is 5th June 2008.

It is best for you that you file joint return as residents. Both of you must report your worldwide income for 2008.
If you paid taxes in the foreign country, you will claim credit for taxes paid in the foreign country by filing Form 1116 or can file form 2555 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.. Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Citizen or Resident with Foreign Income (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-citizen-or-resident-with-foreign.html)

It is best for you that you file joint return as residents. Both of you must report your worldwide income for 2008.
If you paid taxes in the foreign country, you will claim credit for taxes paid in the foreign country by filing Form 1116 or can file form 2555 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.. Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Citizen or Resident with Foreign Income (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-citizen-or-resident-with-foreign.html)

Hi, just wanted to know that if I am using the form 2555 to exclude foreign earned income from the US wages ( mentioned in W2) , isn't it going to lower my net income in US and therefore increase the refund that I am expected to get ? Or am I missing something here :confused:

Exclude means first add the income and then subtract.

Note that, even though the foreign income is added, then subtracted, the tax rate at which you will be taxed will be as if the money was NOT subtracted.