Worked on H1b since Feb17 '08 to Nov22 '08. Can I claim the Federal tax deductions for my dependent wife and kid? They don't have SSN. State Iowa

Were your wife and kid present in the U.S.
When did you enter the U.S. Were you present in the U.S. in 2007?

Me on H1b, my wife and kid on H4 came to US on17Feb and returned back on 22Nov in 2008. None of us ever visited US before.

You can file resident tax return as Married Filing Jointly. You will get standard deduction of $10,900 and exemptions for both of you and the kids. You will also get child tax credit of $1,000 each.

You must both declare your worldwide income for 2008. If you have any foreign income, and on that income you paid taxes in the foreign country, then you can claim foreign tax credit.

You will complete forms W7 (application for ITIN) for your spouse and children and attach with your tax return. Read about H1-B tax filing: Your U.S. Tax Return: The U.S. Visas

If you do not file joint return, you can only file Dual status tax return. You will not get standard deduction and exemptions for your spouse and kid.