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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 9:36:36 PM

I retired in June of 2016, can my spouse claim me as a dependent?

Should my spouse file on the return as head of household?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 9:36:37 PM

A spouse cannot be claimed as a dependent.  You should be filing as Married Filing Jointly even if one spouse has little or no income.  You receive the highest standard deduction of $12,600 and you each receive a personal exemption of $4,050

2 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 9:36:37 PM

A spouse cannot be claimed as a dependent.  You should be filing as Married Filing Jointly even if one spouse has little or no income.  You receive the highest standard deduction of $12,600 and you each receive a personal exemption of $4,050

Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 9:36:40 PM

No.
See page 11 of IRS Publication 501 which says:

“Your spouse is never considered your dependent.”

You can find IRS Pub 501 at this link:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

You can file as married filing jointly even if one of you has little or no income.