I entered the USA in late 2009 on a J1 Visa. I worked for 18 months until my visa expired at the start of June 2011. At this point my H1B petition was being processed so I left my job technically was unempolyed for a total of 3 days until my H1B was petition was approved and I returned to work being rehired in the same position.

My question is how should I file my tax return for the 2011 year - half of which was as a J1 and half as a H1B? Should this be done as a Dual Status alien?

Also, I received one W2 from my employer this year that covers my earnings for the entire year. Is this correct or should I have been issued two, one for my J1 potion and one for my H1B? I assume I would need two W2's in order to have the information on earnings for each period?

On J1 you were nonresident for 2009 and 2010. For 2011 you are resident of US for full year. You are not dual status. http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/08/us-visas.html

I tend to agree with MukatA on this, BUT the tax treaty with your home country MAY have a three-year tenure on the J-1 visa.

Please identify your home country.