[wueq]

Hi all,

My status:

(1) F1--->OPT--->H1B, H1B took effect in Nov. 2006, so I think I only can file as NR (using 1040NR)
(2) My wife came to US and stayed here from 8/1/2006, she holds the B1/B2 (visitor visa) until the end of year 2006. In Jan. 2007, she changed her Visa to H4
(3) Both of us are Canadian resident and Chinese citizen.

I asked some accountants, some of them said I can file with my wife jointly as NR, because we are Canadian PR, but some of others said we can not file jointly, but I can claim her as dependent even she is not resident because of her canadian PR status.

I am very comfused about this, who can help me clarify this?

Thanks.

Michael

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Michael:

You have posted this before.

You CAN file jointly and CHOOSE to be treated as resident aliens for ALL of 2006, but at the price of declaring ALL world-wide income on your joint tax return.

If you file as a non-resident alien, you CAN claim your wife as a dependent.

The only way to know which is best is to do it BOTH ways and compare.