How do my husband and I file our taxes jointly the wife hasn't worked all year

[deb7201]

My husband and I filed married jointly every year, for the year of 2024 I have not worked. I know we have to file and include myself on our forms but how do I go about that this is the first year I have not worked a full-time job nor a part-time job. I have not worked as my daughter whom is 25 years old and has a daughter whom is for is now living with us and I take care of my granddaughter full-time.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

You can file a joint return even if one spouse had little or no income.    If you have filed jointly in the past, just file jointly again.   You will simply have no income to enter under your own name, and that is okay.

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.

[deb7201]

Thank you! Where on the form do we put the $29200?

[xmasbaby0]

Your standard deduction will be there automatically.  You do not have to put it there.   It will be shown on line 12.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.”  It is not a refund.  You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2024 Form 1040.

2024 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $29,200    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $21,900    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

[DoninGA]

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@deb7201 wrote:

Thank you! Where on the form do we put the $29200?

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When you select that you are Married and filing jointly with your spouse, the TurboTax program will automatically enter your Standard Deduction on the federal tax return Form 1040 Line 12.