My spouse has no income can I claim my spouse as dependent ?

[enes-cglr]

This is the first time I am filing tax return. My spouse has no income can I claim my spouse as dependent ? And does my spouse have to file a tax return? She has SSN and EAD but she is not working. Which one is better for me filing separately or jointly?

Thank you.

[cracraftca]

The answer to this would be, "yes"! Though she is not working, she relies on the income you make to help take care of her. This would also obviously apply if you have kids at home that are not working and rely on your income to sustain them and cover their expenses such as food and housing and clothing.

[DoninGA]

@cracraftca - The tax code is specific in this situation.  You cannot claim a spouse as a dependent.

[enes-cglr]

Thanks for your reply @cracraftca , i made some more research and there are similar topics and they all say that you cannot claim a spouse as dependent but claim as exemption.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

You cannot claim a spouse as a dependent.  If you are married and living together you can only file your tax return as Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately.  You would want to file as MFJ even if one spouse has little or no income.  You receive the highest standard deduction of $12,600 and you each receive a personal exemption of $4,000

[enes-cglr]

Thanks for your reply.