Should i file jointly If my wife has very little income also she claims her mom as her dependent ?

[cali1]

her mom is now getting government's benefit like medicaid  and food stamps, if i file jointly, will that gonna influence her mom's benefit  or my tax refund ? or both?

[Coleen3 · Accepted solution]

If your wife has very little income and doesn't file jointly with you, it is unlikely that she can claim her mother as a dependent. She would have to provide more than half her financial support.  The mother's medicaid and food stamps show that someone other than your wife is providing a portion of that support. Filing jointly is usually the best way to file.

If your state has expanded Medicaid, you can claim your dependent without your income being included to determine their eligibility. See the link below for those states.

https://www.kff.org/health-reform/state-indicator/state-activity-around-expanding-medicaid-under-the...