regarding dependant tax filing

[psjcon3173]

Hi
I am residing in USA since 2000. I am recently got married on August 2004. Can I file my wife as dependent. we have an entry her name in my passport. Unfortunately, she is not here. she is living in india.

Can i file W-7 form with my employer?. Suppose, if she is not coming this year end (ie 2004), can i able to claim dependent tax.

I would appreciate your reply immediately

Thx,
Jagadeesh

[ekambara]

You can claim your wife as spouse and get two deductions (standard deduction and personal exemption) for her. You cannot claim her as dependent which is mostly used for children, parents, siblings etc.

You can send form W-7 along with your tax forms next year to IRS. They will give ITIN for your wife and based on this number, you can get the above deductions.

Employers have nothing to do with Form W7. There is another form called W-4 which you give to employer informing your marital status. Based on the info in W-4, employer decides how much taxes to withhold from your salary.

Now you can give revised W-4 to your employer and send W-7 to IRS with your 2004 tax return (between Jan to April).

Hope it helps,
ekambara