Taxes

[dagnytaggart 0]

I am not sure if this is the correct place for this question so I am sorry if is in the wrong forum.

My husband and I have just started the AOS process and I am already thinking about how to file my taxes next year. I know you may think it's a little soon to be thinking about it but I am a planner.

So my question is how do I file? Do I file jointly as married? Can I claim him as a dependant? Anyone have any suggestions on how to file?

Thanks

[wannabe_texan 0]

Perhaps a Mod will move this to Moving Here and your new life in America forum... or wherever is deemed appropriate...

Yes you'll married filing jointly (because you were married at any time during 2009, even Dec 31), and no, hubby cannot be a dependent. You might like to look for user 'motu' posts - he often has commented on various tax issues.

You can file using efile from the IRS for free depending on your income level, http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118508,00.html you can also use online services from companies like H&R Block and many others, software such as Turbotax or visit an office of a tax professional ... or if you really feel like doing it - the old paper way too is available

[Anh map 2,098]

Married, filing jointly. Pretty straight forward.

[Ban Hammer 13,578]

Perhaps a Mod will move this to Moving Here and your new life in America forum... or wherever is deemed appropriate...

done.

[dagnytaggart 0]

Thanks =)

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This is a long thread with lots of discussion during this years tax season. You can find some good information. Keep in mind that 2008 tax incentives won't be the same for 2009 tax year, so the discussion of getting $600 for you spouse won't apply. But newer incentives could come along. Rin and John always gave very good, absolutely correct information, so read their posts.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=170514

[HikerMark 5]

Don't assume that married filing jointly will give you the lowest tax. It will depend on when you arrived in the US, how much income you had in your home country and how much in the US, whether you live in a community income state and what the sources of your income are. It is best to do the calculations on a joint basis and a married filing separately basis to see which is the best. However, that is standard advice for all US married couples each tax year.

As an example for 2008 we filed the federal tax returns married filing separately and the AZ state return married filing jointly as that gave us the highest tax refund.

Each couple's situation is individual to them so you need to check the calculations on both basis.

[dagnytaggart 0]

This is a long thread with lots of discussion during this years tax season. You can find some good information. Keep in mind that 2008 tax incentives won't be the same for 2009 tax year, so the discussion of getting $600 for you spouse won't apply. But newer incentives could come along. Rin and John always gave very good, absolutely correct information, so read their posts.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=170514

Excellent thread thanks !!!