My wife is unemployed and I support her, I will be filing single this year. Can I put my wife's name down as a dependent?

lteedw · ‎June 4, 2019

IreneS · ‎June 4, 2019

UPDATED FOR TAX YEAR 2019

No - You cannot claim your wife as a dependent. You should still file "married filing jointly" even if you wife has no income. You cannot file "single" if you were married.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better than filing separately. When you file a joint return are normally eligible for more credits (child tax credit, education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit).

[Edited | 4/14/2020 | 7:33am PDT]

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View solution in original post

IreneS · ‎June 4, 2019

UPDATED FOR TAX YEAR 2019

No - You cannot claim your wife as a dependent. You should still file "married filing jointly" even if you wife has no income. You cannot file "single" if you were married.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better than filing separately. When you file a joint return are normally eligible for more credits (child tax credit, education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit).

[Edited | 4/14/2020 | 7:33am PDT]

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

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My wife is unemployed and I support her, I will be filing single this year. Can I put my wife's name down as a dependent?