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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 9:53:23 PM

My spouse doesn't have a stable income. This year he only made $11,000 from his employer. I support him financially (food, bills, etc.). Can I claim him as a dependent?

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1 Best answer
Alumni
May 31, 2019 9:53:25 PM

You can not claim a spouse as a dependent.
See page 11 of IRS Publication 501 which says:

“Your spouse is never considered your dependent.”

You can find IRS Pub 501 at this link:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

2 Replies
Alumni
May 31, 2019 9:53:25 PM

You can not claim a spouse as a dependent.
See page 11 of IRS Publication 501 which says:

“Your spouse is never considered your dependent.”

You can find IRS Pub 501 at this link:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

Level 7
May 31, 2019 9:53:28 PM

A spouse is never a dependent.  The two of you should file a joint return using the Married Filing Jointly filing status.  This is one return covering the income and expenses for both of you.  You will get a personal exemption of $4,050 for each of you which is the same as the dependent exemption.