I am on h1b WORKING IN THE U.S. My wife is in India and working in India. I have a child who is 2.5 years old. How many exceptions can I claim on my W-4? My wife will be filing her taxes in India. Do I also have to report my wife's income as well?

If you file joint return as residents, you must both declare worldwide income. 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. http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-citizen-or-resident-with-foreign.html

If you file joint return, you can claim your child as dependent even when the child has never been to the U.S.

Sorry, but this time, I must disagree with MukatA.

To claim a child who is NOT a U.S. citizen on your tax return, the child MUST some at least SOME time in the United States in 2010. With no physical presence, the IRS will NOT issue he ITIN to the child.

As for the W-4, under special rules for foreign workers, the most allowances you can claim on the W-4 when claiming MARRIED status is TWO.

If you need professional help filing your return, email me at [email protected].