Skip to main content
Best answer by DoninGA

You would want to file as Married Filing Jointly even if one spouse has little or no income.  You receive the highest standard deduction of $12,600.  You each receive a personal exemption of $4,050.

Even though your spouse is unemployed, if they received unemployment compensation, Social Security benefits or income from other sources, that must be reported on your tax return.

1 reply

DoninGA
Level 15
DoninGALevel 15Answer
Level 15
June 1, 2019

You would want to file as Married Filing Jointly even if one spouse has little or no income.  You receive the highest standard deduction of $12,600.  You each receive a personal exemption of $4,050.

Even though your spouse is unemployed, if they received unemployment compensation, Social Security benefits or income from other sources, that must be reported on your tax return.