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I heard at from someone at my local game shop that independent characters count towards the max unit size. So my tau commander couldn't join a unit of 3 crisis suits. Is this true?

That someone has just about the same understanding of 40k rules as the Stuttgart GW folks - one of them once told me that the bonus attack for two CCWs was already included in the SM Sergeant's profile...
In other words: no.

Also, this is the painting and modeling area, where you can show off painted models - if you've got questions about the rules, ask them here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/forums/show/15.page

wow man, the guy who said that to you need to read the rulebook... in the section who explain ICs...