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pal123
Feb 19, 2007, 06:20 PM
Hi,

We've already started working on our Tax Returns but came across the following questions. We need some help.

1. My husband arrived in the US as an H1B holder last Nov. 2005. However, he only got to work on a project on February 2006. His employer advised him not to file an income tax return because he has no income in 2005. Is this correct?
2. Can my husband include his moving expenses (Phils. To US) last Nov. 2005 on his 2006 return?
3. We moved to a new state last Aug. 2006, due to a new job/company. My husband arrived first and started working while doing all the "apartment-hunting". During those times, he was staying in a hotel. Can we add the hotel expenses to our moving expenses?

Thank you!
pal123

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 19, 2007, 10:00 PM
1) No income, no tax return.

2) No, he cannot.

3) No. House-hunting trips are no longer a valid moving expense.

pal123
Feb 20, 2007, 04:37 AM
Thank you.

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 20, 2007, 10:55 AM
Glad to help!

pal123
Feb 21, 2007, 01:45 PM
Hi,

I have an additional question related to question 3 above.

My husband arrived to his new job location Aug. 25. He started working Aug. 28. He was only able to move to his apartment, which he rents now, on Sept. 15. Since this is not allowed under Moving Expenses, can this be claimed under Employee Business Expenses (form 2106)?

And a new question...

My husband used his airline mileage moving to his new job location. Can we include the regular airfare rate (value of the mileage) in the moving expense?

Thanks!
pal123

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 22, 2007, 12:09 PM
He CAN claim the airline ticket ticket for the actual MOVE from job A to Job B, but not for house-hunting trips.

He MAY be able to claim it as an employee business expense, but that would require that he itemize.

If you need my professional tax help, contact me at [email protected].

pal123
Feb 22, 2007, 12:20 PM
Thanks for the help but kindly confirm that I understand it right.

The airfare can be deducted even if he used his mileage. So, we just have to know the regular fare from job A to job B. However, this will fall under employee business expense (form 2106)?

Again, thanks for the help.
pal123

AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 23, 2007, 12:04 AM
Yes, on Form 2106.