[angel_sweet_xxx]

I married my husband this year 2009. he has been i n the Us for about 9 months now. We are waiting on  immigration paperwork for him to become a residen t. In the mean while he hasn't worked and has no i ncome. My question is should i file jointly or fil e separately and claim him as a dependent. We do n ot have children. Just wondering which rout would  be more beneficiary for us. Any suggestions are gr eatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Five Rings]

File jointly. He is NOT a dependent but is your spouse and, as such, is posted on that line of the Form 1040.

Wait until you get his SS number and then file. Use Form 4868 to file an extention: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

[MukatA]

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident, you can file as married filing jointly (MFJ) or married filing separately (MFS). In most cases, it is better to file as MFJ. On the joint return your standard deduction is $11,400 and you get two exemptions. If you file MFS, you will not get many credits and deductions including EIC. On the joint return the liabilities are joint. If one spouse owes tax, both spouses are equally responsible.

This is from IRS publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax.
Tip. If you and your spouse each have income, you may want to figure your tax both on a joint return and on separate returns (using the filing status of married filing separately). Choose the method that gives the two of you the lower combined tax.