[Cecile81]

Hi. I am a US citizen living outside the US with my non-US spouse. I file my Indv. Income Tax Return as 'Married filing separately', enter my spouse's name and SSS ( he worked in the US many years ago but NOT ANYMORE), and claim no exemptions nor any standard deductions ( since he claims me as a dependent in his own country, where he pays his taxes). Therefore, I always end up paying taxes to the US gov't. I have also been paying taxes for the past few years. This year, I even paid taxes on the small amount of social security benefits that I started receiving in 2009. Have I been doing the right thing? Do I have to write his SSN in the form and exempt myself?

[MukatA]

You can file as married filing separately or as married filing jointly.
On the joint return both must report worldwide income. Your U.S. Tax Return: U.S. Citizen or Resident with Foreign Income

[Cecile81]

Thanks for your reply and info,MTE.
It seems that I was doing myself injustice by not claiming any exemption ( not even for myself) nor any deductions. My husband is a non-US person ( read : a foreigner that has nothing to do with the US), even though he had an SSN. When I amend my 1040A and claim the self-exemption and standard deduction, could I skip writing his SSN? What should I write instead?

[MukatA]

Spouse is never a dependent.
You can amend you tax return that is file Form 1040X and claim your own exemption.