Married filing jointly, exemptions for spouse

Question

Jan 6, 2008, 10:15 AM

thinketh

New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007

Posts: 7

Married filing jointly, exemptions for spouse

Hi,
If married filing jointly, do I check both 6a and 6b on 1040 (so as to get total of 2 exemptions)?
Does this apply if the spouse is also working and has earned income?
Thanks!

Answers

Jan 6, 2008, 12:39 PM	#2

AtlantaTaxExpert Tax Expert Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 9,793	No, just pick 6b. Such a gross error will be spotted and corrected by the IRS. Your tax software will NOT let you pick more than one choice in block 6.

Jan 7, 2008, 04:15 AM	#3

MukatA Tax Expert Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CA Posts: 2,010	If you file as Married Filing Separately, then select only 6a. You can't claim exemption for your spouse if she has any income. Your spouse will also file her return as Married Filing Separately. If you file as Married Filing Jointly, then select 6a and 6b. You will declare both your income and your spouse's income.

Jan 7, 2008, 09:51 AM	#4

AtlantaTaxExpert Tax Expert Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 9,793	MukatA is correct, and I stand corrected. I confused the filing status (single, married filiing jointly, Head of Household, etc). portion of the Form 1040 with the Exemption portion.



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