All Posts

No, your spouse is never claimed as your dependent.   The IRS gives married couples the option of filing jointly (MFJ) or separately (MFS) but, filing separate tax returns disqualify taxpayers from certain credits and deductions, which may result in paying more taxes.  The most common credits that MFS filing status is not eligible for in Earned Income Credit, American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit and Child and Dependent Care Credit.  Additionally, MFS cannot take the Student Loan Interest deduction and the IRS deduction is limited.    Please see the TurboTax article Should You and Your Spouse File Jointly or Separately? For more information.   Before you make the decision to file MFJ or MFS, you can prepare your tax returns both ways.  You will need to do three separate tax returns, one for each of you using MFS status then filing MFJ.  TurboTax can do the calculation for you if you use the desktop version.    Please review the article How to Compare MFS and MFJ?.  

TurboTax automatically calculates the additional senior deduction based on your date of birth and your income. You will see it on Schedule 1a, line 13b of your 1040 form. There is nothing extra that you need to do.    Taxpayers who are 65 and older may qualify for the additional deduction of $6,000 ($12,000 for MFJ).  To be eligible for the additional deduction, you must meet the eligibility criteria below:   Be 65 or older by December 31, 2025 File Married filing Jointly if married Modified adjusted gross income under $75,000 ($150,000 for MFJ).  The deduction phases out for taxpayers above this income.   Review the TurboTax articles Tax Counseling for Seniors and the IRS Fact Sheet Deductions for Seniors for more information.