I am an F-1 student eligible to file resident taxes married to a H-1 person. To get the maximum refund is it adviable to file jointly or separately? Also, my wife was in California for 6 months while the company was in Texas and sent paychecks as TX resident. Should I file CA state taxes?

Thanks in advance for clarifying my questions,

Lexington

1. Yes you can file joint return as residents. Do your return both ways to figure out which is best for you.
2. If you file joint return for 2008, you must inform your employer of your resident status and pay FICA taxes on your F1/OPT income.
3. You MUST file CA tax return. If you are present in a state, then any income earned during this period, must be reported to the state. Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: Working or Living in Two or More states (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/06/working-in-two-or-more-states.html)

1. Yes you can file joint return as residents. Do your return both ways to figure out which is best for you.
2. If you file joint return for 2008, you must inform your employer of your resident status and pay FICA taxes on your F1/OPT income.
3. You MUST file CA tax return. If you are present in a state, then any income earned during this period, must be reported to the state. Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: Working or Living in Two or More states (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/06/working-in-two-or-more-states.html)

Thanks for your advice.