H1B worker, need tax advice

[jaydoc]

I am coming to the US on a H1B visa, and I need some advice about my tax issues.
I am totally new to the scene, and have no idea about what income tax in the USA is all about.

I am married, but my spouse is staying back in India, till April 2010, after which she is moving to the US with me. She is studying (and getting paid) in a masters course which completes only in April of 2010. No children.

I was told to fill a W-4 form. It has listed what the various dependent statuses are.

---- 1. Enter 1 for yourself, if no one else can claim you as dependent.
---- 2. Enter 1 if
a. You are single and have only one job
b. You are married, have only one job, and your spouse does not work.
---- 3. Enter 1 for your spouse, but you may choose to enter 0 if you are married and have either a working spouse or more than one job.

I am confused about 2 & 3. I am married, and will hold only one job. My spouse is not in the US. But she does hold a paid job in India. So is she my dependent or not...?

Someone please advise.
can someone also tell me what the total number on line H of the W-4 example form would be for my case...? Married, wife is nonresident alien, no children.

[txh1b]

You can claim her as a dependent. What you write on E4 is for initial with-holding. When you file taxes by April 15th, anything can be corrected.

[dimple2001]

You will enter 1 for yourself. You can either enter 1 or 0 for your spouse, although you are allowed to enter 1.

Here is the concept:

If you enter a smaller number, more taxes will be withheld on the paycheck and vice versa. If you prefer to have more taxes withheld now and most likely receive a refund later, you can enter 1. If you enter 2 (you and spouse), less taxes will be withheld and most likely you may neither have to pay anything nor receive refund at the time of filing the taxes.