2006 taxes: F-1 OPT Income & Foreign Income
Hi, I have a somewhat complicated question about my 2006 taxes...
I came to the US in 2001 on a student visa (F1). After I finished my degree I worked one year under OPT, and I left when my OPT/visa expired in May 2006 and went home to my native country and got a job there. So basically I worked 5 months in the US, and 7 months in the foreign country where I am a citizen.
Not sure if this makes a difference or not but; now I am actually back in the US on a fiancé visa and will marry a US citizen this summer and intend to permanently live here.
1) Do I file as a resident or non-resident? I was told by my university to file as a resident this year as I have used up all my exempt years (5).
2) Do I need to report my income from the foreign country on my US tax return? I have paid the necessary taxes on this income in that country.
3) If I need to report my foreign income and taxes, does that generally raise or lower my U.S. taxes?