visiting professor ,h1b ,tax treaty benefit
Hi
I came to US from UK in Jan 2006 as a visiting professor doing research and teaching in a University.I will be going back in May this year.I am a resident alien for tax purposes.I will be grateful if you can answer the following questions..
1 ) Am I eligible for tax exemption under the UK-US tax treaty ,article 20 ? It states that if you stay for less than 2 years you are exempt from tax.Some of my colleagues from Germany are being tax exempt.Unfortunately I did not know about the treaty and my payroll office has been withholding tax.
2) If I am eligible for tax exemption will I benefit from claiming deduction for dependants.(Wife and 2 daughters aged 6 and 7 on h4).
3) Should I file a 1040 as married filing jointly ?
4) Should I bother getting an ITIN for my spouse and 2 children by filling in W-7?
Many thanks