Hi,

I arrived in US (LA) in Jun'12 and would be staying till Oct'12 end. I am on H1B and a professional working here. My wife and my son, both on H4, are visiting me in July'12 and would be staying with me for around 20 days.

My questions are:

a) Can I name them as dependent for tax benefits/tax returns? (to calculate the
Personal allowances/employee withholding allowance in W4 form)?
b) Can I get ITIN for them?
c) What is the process to get ITIN? I have gone through IRS site, and it seems rules are
Changed from Jun'12 onwards.
d) If I cannot claim them as dependent then do I have to file the returns as single?
e) What are the best ways to save tax?

Thanks in advance for your response. Please let me know.

Regards,
Avi

Avi:

I assume you will be here for less than six months, which means you will file as a non-resident and will not claim any of your family on the return.

You can, however, claim all of your travel cost plus your daily living costs (food, local transportation, incidental costs, rent) because your job, being less than one year, is considered temporary by the IRS.

No IRINs are required.

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate

Also, if I am earning around $6500, then how much tax should I be paying?
What tax bracket I fall into?
Can I claim the tax benefits in Jan'13?
And, what number (1, 2 or 3) should I put for Federal tax deductibles (as per W4)?

Please reply to this as I am some confused and it will help me a lot.

Regards,
Avi

If you are earning only $6,500, you will get all of your federal and state income taxes back.

Yes, you will file in January 2013.

If you are earning only $6,500, you will get all of your federal and state income taxes back.

Yes, you will file in January 2013.

Thanks a lot Sir.
You have not told, what number should I put as tax witholding (as per Personal allowances worksheet of W-4)

Regards,
Avi

If it is $6,500 for the entire trip, withhold NOTHING if possible.

If it is $6,5000 per month. Then claim SINGLE with ONE allowance.