Hi all,

I have a few questions about tax withholding and hope someone can help.

I started a new job in June of this year and claimed one withholding allowance. On August 31 I got married. I was never asked to fill out a new W-4 and honestly didn't think about it til the other day.

My husband is here on a visa. He can't work right now due to visa restrictions and most likely will not get a job in the US until 2014. In other words, he has no US income for 2013 (he did work in the UK for the first half of the year).

With all that in mind..

-Do I have to claim a withholding allowance for my husband on my W-4?

-Even if I don't HAVE to claim a withholding allowance, should I? I understand that this would lead to less withholding from my paychecks, but could that result in a tax underpayment?

-Does it make any difference that my husband is not a US citizen or permanent resident?

-Should I be filing married/joint on my 2013 1040? Even if my husband had no income in the US?

I'm fairly clueless about taxes in general (despite paying them for years!) so I really appreciate any advice. I will also try to get in touch with an accountant at my company.