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New Member
posted Mar 17, 2025 5:25:33 AM

unemployed spouse not having W-2

My husband is unemployed since we moved into US -6/20/2024 . I am the only one who works full time and has w-2 . We are going to file jointly , I have created my W-2 in turbo tax but he does not have W-2 to be filled .

Do I need to submit my taxes only with my W-2 ? Is there any place that requires him to be marked as unemployed ? On Personal info I have typed his occupation as ''Unemployed'' but not sure if it will be ok to declare only one W-2 even if we file jointly ?

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2 Replies
Level 15
Mar 17, 2025 5:28:49 AM

No, there is nowhere on a federal tax return to indicate his employment status.  You file your tax return with your income and with the filing status as Married Filing Jointly.

Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2025 5:31:50 AM

Yes, you can file your taxes jointly with only your W-2. Here’s how to do it in TurboTax:

Enter Personal Information:

  • Open TurboTax and go to the "Personal Info" section under the "About me" tab.
  • Enter your information and mark your husband's occupation as "Unemployed." This is sufficient and will not affect your ability to file jointly

Enter Your W-2:

  • Navigate to the "Job (W-2)" section.
  • Select "Add/Edit" to enter your W-2 information.
  • You can import your W-2 instantly from your employer, upload it from your computer, snap a photo of it with your phone, or type it in manually

Best Option: Filing jointly is usually beneficial as it allows you to claim various tax credits and deductions that might not be available if you file separately

 

For additional examples, see TurboTax Community post and here