Hi,

I'm in US on H1B visa from July 22,2007 , along with my wife on H4.

I fail the substantial presence test by about 20 days. So should I be filing as Non-resident/resident or dual status ?

Talked to one consultant who asked me to file as Non-resident, while another told that it isn't required as I'm married !

If I'm filing as non-resident, can I claim any excemption for my wife. As most documents mention that I should assume the status of 'single' when using NR form.

Can any of you clarify on which form I can use and which status I should use ?


Thanks a lot,

C'ian

You can file jointly with your wife and you both CHOSE to be treated as resident aliens. This will allow you to claim the $10,700 joint standard deduction plus two $3,400 personal exemption (for yourself and your wife).

The downside is that:

• you must WAIT to meet the Substantial Test before you can file, which means you must wait until mid-May 2008.
• you must declare ALL 2007 world-wide income.

There are two offsets available, by either claiming a Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) or a Foreign Income Exclusion (Form 2555).
Even with the downside, this is probably the best way for you to file.