GC holder returned to India:Tax filing questions

[amrcbe05]

I am a Greencard holder returned to India in July 2007 and got married in Sep 2007. I have applied for a re entry permit as I want to maintain the Permanent Resident status. I am getting ready to file Tax for 2007. I have worked in US till July 2007 and from Oct 07 to Dec 07 in India. I know that I have to declare my Indian income for those months when filing tax.

Questions:
1. Do I need to use any forms other than 1040? I guess I do not need to file form 2555. Any suggestions on software or whether I need a tax consultant?
2. Can I declare my marital status as Married though I did not get married before I left US?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jackolantern]

If you paid tax to India on your Indian income, you can probably get a US tax credit or deduction.

There are additional forms for that .. see http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc856.html

 

[hannah2]

You can declare your new marital status, but you can't bring your spouse easily to US.

 

[amrcbe05]

Tax filing

I researched to find these details.

There are two methods to get credit for Foreign Income.

1) Claim Tax credit for the tax amount that was paid to a Foreign country.
Form 1116
2) Apply for Foreign income exclusion after 330 days of R2I.
Form 2555

Depending on an individual's case either of the options will be beneficial.

Form 4868 can be filed to get total of 6 months extension. Some states accept 4868 and do not need a separate form for extension.