I am on H-1B visa as assistant prof in a university. Am I eligible for the tax exemption treaty between the state and egypt? Should I pay my tax for my wage in Egypt? And should I report this back to the authoroties in USA? Does this exemption affect my chances to have the green card? Can I claim my dependents for tax exemption the first day I am in the state or should I spent certain time in the state before applying that claim.

Thanks,
Yours, Salman

Salman,

Since you mention dependents, it is likely best for you to file a JOINT return with your spouse, claim ALL world-wide income earned in 2014 (if you are filing a 2014 tax return), and claim your children as dependents (provided your children were located INSIDE the U.S. in 2014). This will allow you to claim the $1,000 Child Tax credit per child, give your exemptions for yourself, your wife and each child, AND claim the joint standard deduction, plus be taxed at the low JOINT tax rates. If you had Egyptian income on which Egyptian income taxes were paid, you can also file Form 1116 to claim the Foreign Tax Credit.

If you need professional help filing this return, my email address is located in my profile.

Thank you for your time and concern AtlantaTaxExpert (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/members/atlantataxexpert.html) I entered the states 24 Sep 2015.

Then you will file that joint return in January 2016 when you file your 2015 tax return.

Note that, if you file that way, you must WAIT until late May 2016 to file, AND you will be taking the return to a, IRS Tax Assistance Center to apply for ITINs for your qwife and children.