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Married filing jointly, spouse not in US

Nikki65 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:00:18 GMT

Hi, I am a married permanent resident, and right now in the US. My husband is also a permanent resident but left the US and hasn't been here for the year 2021 at all. So can I still file our taxes married file jointly? He is abroad but not working and has no income. Thanks

Re: Married filing jointly, spouse not in US

DanaB27 — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 13:24:54 GMT

Yes, you can file married filing jointly.

Please be aware, as a permanent resident, you and your spouse need to report all of your income, whether it was earned in the U.S. or abroad.

Married filing jointly, but spouse unemployed.

Eview — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:52:29 GMT

My husband and I file married joint, but I stopped working a few years ago. He’s the sole provider of me. I do not receive any income at all. Should he claim me as a dependent?

Re: Married filing jointly, but spouse unemployed.

LeonardS — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 20:03:23 GMT

No, your husband can not claim you as a dependent, you are his spouse. The fact that you have not received any income does not prevent you from filing jointly with your husband.

@Eview

Re: Married filing jointly, but spouse unemployed.

VolvoGirl — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 20:06:05 GMT

A spouse is never a dependent. You just file a Joint return and get a higher Standard Deduction.

Re: Married filing jointly, but spouse unemployed.

JRose2 — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 20:14:09 GMT

Absolutely not. You would have to list your name and SSN twice, once on top of the Form 1040 (pg. 1) under your husband's, and once under "Dependents" on Form 1040, and your return would be rejected.

If you were both under 65 years old on 12-31-2021 (and you don't Itemize), you will get the Standard Deduction of $25,100. There are no personal exemptions or dependency exemptions anymore.