Hi, I've been living and working in the U.S. on an H1B visa from 2006. I got married this year in August. My wife will be entering the U.S. on an H4 visa around the last week of December. She was working in Australia for most of this year, even after our wedding. I wanted to update my W4 at my office. I have two options - 'Married', and 'Married but withhold at a higher single rate'. I am not clear which one I should choose. Also, should I choose only 2 allowances. Additionally, would the 'filing status' and 'number of allowances' would be any different for 'California State' than what I will specify for 'Federal'?

As a foreign national working in the U.S. you can claim at most TWO allowances under special IRS rules for foreign workers.

Claim MARRIED with TWO allowances if your wife is not going to work in 2011.

Thanks, AtlantaTaxExpert. If my wife starts to work starting August 2011, what would you advise?

Change to Married with ONE allowance for BOTH of you.