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New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 1:37:32 AM

Personal exemptions

If we filed jointly as a married couple, and the total number of personal exemptions on our return was 2...how many of those should my wife claim?

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:45 AM

When filing an Injured Spouse form, allocate personal exemptions as is appropriate. This is done by "pretending" you had filed separate returns. If you had filed separate returns, one spouse could take 2 exemptions when the other spouse had NO INCOME. Otherwise, 1 exemption belongs to each of the 2 spouses.

It would be rare for it to be anything other than 1 for each of you.

"Allocate the exemptions claimed on the joint return to the spouse who would have claimed them if separate returns had been filed. "

10 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:34 AM

What do you mean? One is hers, and one is yours. But what is the reasoning behind what you are asking?

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:36 AM

We are making an amendment and one of the questions was "Out of the 2 personal exemptions on your return, how many should go to (my wife)?" So I just wanted to make sure...

Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:37 AM

Can you clarify what you are amending? I don't see the relevance of this question, so just want to understand what you are doing.

Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:39 AM

Is this for a state return? What state? Also, are you trying to amend from joint to separate?

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:40 AM

Filing for Injured Spouse, where I am the injured spouse. We live in Michigan.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:42 AM

This is for a federal return.

Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:44 AM

I see... thank you for confirming Injured Spouse.

Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:45 AM

When filing an Injured Spouse form, allocate personal exemptions as is appropriate. This is done by "pretending" you had filed separate returns. If you had filed separate returns, one spouse could take 2 exemptions when the other spouse had NO INCOME. Otherwise, 1 exemption belongs to each of the 2 spouses.

It would be rare for it to be anything other than 1 for each of you.

"Allocate the exemptions claimed on the joint return to the spouse who would have claimed them if separate returns had been filed. "

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:47 AM

Thank you!!

Expert Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 1:37:48 AM

You're welcome!