I got married on December 25, 2008 outside of the US and my wife is still overseas until July 2009. She earned no income last year in her home country as she is a student.

I am on an H1B in the US and have been for the past 4 years. My questions are:

1. Can I claim her on my taxes for 2008?

2. If so, do I file as "Married filing Single" or "Married filing jointly"?

3. Also if so, do I need to have her obtain anytype of special documentation or a tax id number?

4. I keep hearing there is a difference between using your wife as a dependent and an exemption, what's the difference?

1. If you file as married filing separately, then you can claim exemption for your spouse if she had $0 income in 2008.
2. You can file married filing jointly.
3. Attach W7 (ITIN application) with your tax return.
4. Wife is never considered a dependent on the tax return.
Read about H1-B: Your U.S. Tax Return: The U.S. Visas