Why are you filing that way? You can file a joint return even if one spouse has little or no income. And it would be better for both of you.
If you were legally married at the end of 2021 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.
Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,100 (+$1300 for each spouse 65 or older) You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.
If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states: AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)
If you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...
As for getting a stimulus check----you should have filed a 2020 tax return to use the recovery rebate credit to get the 1st and/or 2nd stimulus checks. There is no place to enter anything on a 2020 return for the 3rd stimulus but you can file a 2021 return to get the 3rd stimulus as credit.
There is not a "non--filer" portal to get the stimulus checks---you have to get them by filing a tax return. Your spouse could amend her married filing separately 2020 return to a joint return for both of you and get the EIP payment for you. The results of that joint return would likely be better than the separate return she filed unless there is something you have not told us---like do you owe back taxes or child support?
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
