[vcsheppa]

Hi,

I was wondering how to file taxes. I am married and my husband is a homemaker (soon to be stay at home dad). I know that I cannot file him as a dependent but it is my income that pays for everything. How should I file?

Thank you!

[twinkiedooter]

Married filing jointly with your child as a deduction. This way you get the maximum return. He is not your dependent he is your joint filer.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Well said, and accurate, too! :-)

[MukatA]

If you don't want to file a joint return for any reason, then on your Married Filing Separately tax return you can claim exemption for your spouse if he did not have any income. But Married Filing Separately should be your last option as you won't get EIC and Child Tax Credit.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Agreed, but if there is only ONE income producer, it would be nothing short of REALLY STUPID to file Married Filing Separately instead of filing jointly.

[queene58]

I also was wondering how to file. My husband worked and also receives social security and a pension. I did not work but have gambling income to report so how to I file these with no income

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

95% of the time, you should file Married Fing Jointly.

[eugene53]

What if your unemployed spouse refuse to sign your married filing jointly return?

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Then you have to file separately, but that is clearly "cutting your nose off to spit your face".