Married filing jointly but wife did not work 2020 tax year how do I add her as a dependent, and can I?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
March 5, 2021
3 replies
33 views

it was originally filing jointly but now only one income she did not work in 2020. with 4 children as dependents. do I add her as 5th dependent since she did not work?

TurboTax Free Edition Online

Bsch4477

Level 15

No. A spouse can never be a dependent. File married jointly.

macuser_22

Alumni - Champ

A spouse can NEVER be a dependent. File a joint return even if one spouse has no income.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

xmasbaby0

Level 15

No. You do not claim a spouse as a dependent. You file a joint return. You can file a joint return even if one spouse had little or no income. As a married couple you get a standard deduction of $24,800 and you can claim your children as dependents on the return for whatever child-related credits you qualify to receive.

**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.**