Do I include my spouse in "household members" if we are filing separately.

[pstreenz65]

My spouse and I are "married filing separate", he makes a much higher income. Do I need to add him to my "household members"?

[xmasbaby0]

Where is it asking you for household members?

[xmasbaby0]

And....why are you filing separate returns---usually the worst way to file--?

If you were legally married at the end of 2023 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

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 $27,700 (+$1500 for each spouse 65 or older)  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. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return.

 Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice since with online, you get one return per fee.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

[Opus 17]

This type of question might be related to the affordable care act health insurance subsidy, or to certain state tax credits and benefits.  For the ACA, your household includes your spouse, dependents and some others.  Their income is used along with yours to determine eligiblity for the credit, even if the income is not taxable on your return.https://www.healthcare.gov/income-and-household-information/household-size/

For state tax credits, you would have to look up the rules for that credit in that state.