My wife has self-employment/gig work income. I can't use the standard deduction for my income AND itemize deductions for her income, can I?

[mizlydia]

My wife also says that we can't file separately because my income was used to determine the subsidy for her health insurance. Is that true, or can we file separately?

[MindyB]

No, you cannot mix and match when you are married. The IRS requires that if one spouse itemizes, the other must also itemize (even if their deductions are $0).

Your wife is correct about the marketplace insurance (1095-A). To be eligible for the Premium Tax Credit, the IRS generally requires you to file a joint return. See: Eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit

[xmasbaby0]

If your spouse has self-employment income, her business expenses go on Schedule C.   That is different from the Schedule A where you enter "itemized" deductions such as mortgage interest, medical expenses etc.  You can use standard deduction and have Schedule C on the same joint tax return.

If you have self-employment income for which you will pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare,  you will need to use online Premium software or any version of the desktop software download so that you can prepare a Schedule C for your business expenses.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/how-do-i-report-income-from-self-employment/00/...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/what-is-the-self-employment-tax/00/25922

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/enter-self-empl...

If you live in a state with a state income tax, you might need to make estimated payments to your state.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/small-business-taxes/the-home-office-deduction/L1RZyYxzv

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/estimated-taxes/make-estimated-tax-payme...

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/self-employed/

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/business-taxes/discussion/self-employed-don-t-miss-these-tax-moves...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/enter-schedule-...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/payroll-additions-deductions/qualify-qua...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/self-employment-taxes/self-employed-expe...