You can file a joint return even if one spouse had little or no income. That way you get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $29,200 (+ $1550 for each spouse 65 or older) which makes less of your income taxable, and you are eligible for more child-related credits like earned income credit or education credits. A spouse cannot ever be claimed as a dependent.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separ...
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