adhurka
Mar 22, 2010, 02:03 PM
Hi,
I am confused about my residency/filing-status requirements for 2009 tax return. I am an Indian citizen and here is my current situation:
-- I arrived in California in Sept 2007 on a F1 Visa
-- Got married (in India) in March 2009 and my wife joined me on F2 visa
-- I started a new job after graduation in July 2009
-- We changed our status to H1B and H4 on Oct 1, 2009
-- I have an SSN, but my wife has no SSN/ITIN
-- We have no children
My questions are:
1. Am I a resident-alien/non-resident-alien for federal tax purposes? Substantial presence test suggests that I am a NR-alien.
2a. For Federal return, what filing status should I choose? Married filing jointly or Married filing separately?
2b. If I choose Married filing separately, how should my wife file her taxes? Is she even required to do so? I am already filing a W7 for her ITIN application.
3a. For CA return, what filing status should I choose? I know I am a resident for CA tax purposes. Married filing jointly or Married filing separately?
3b. If I choose Married filing separately, how should my wife file her taxes? Is she even required to do so?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
I am confused about my residency/filing-status requirements for 2009 tax return. I am an Indian citizen and here is my current situation:
-- I arrived in California in Sept 2007 on a F1 Visa
-- Got married (in India) in March 2009 and my wife joined me on F2 visa
-- I started a new job after graduation in July 2009
-- We changed our status to H1B and H4 on Oct 1, 2009
-- I have an SSN, but my wife has no SSN/ITIN
-- We have no children
My questions are:
1. Am I a resident-alien/non-resident-alien for federal tax purposes? Substantial presence test suggests that I am a NR-alien.
2a. For Federal return, what filing status should I choose? Married filing jointly or Married filing separately?
2b. If I choose Married filing separately, how should my wife file her taxes? Is she even required to do so? I am already filing a W7 for her ITIN application.
3a. For CA return, what filing status should I choose? I know I am a resident for CA tax purposes. Married filing jointly or Married filing separately?
3b. If I choose Married filing separately, how should my wife file her taxes? Is she even required to do so?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance.