Can a spouse with no income be added as dependent as well with our children?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

A spouse can never be claimed as a dependent.  If you are legally married then you should be filing your tax return as Married Filing Jointly even if one spouse has little or no income.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

NO.   A spouse is never claimed as a dependent.  File a joint return.   You can file a joint return even if one spouse has little or no income.

[xmasbaby0]

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $29,200 (+ $1550 for each spouse 65 or older)  for 2024. You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.