my wife as a dependent?

Question

I am just married after 1 year of being engaged.
My wife is a full-time student in a four year college, she has no source of income and has relied only on me for the past two years.(even though her parents have claimed her as a dependent for these past years) I am however, out of college and have a full time job. Now that we are married would I be able to claim her as a dependent on my tax returns. This would probably help out our financial situation greatly, if I was able to do so.

I prefer individuals that are knowledgeable and not guessing to
answer my question.
Thanks

Answer 1

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf
Your spouse is never you dependant for tax purposes, see pub 501 p 9 bottom left corner. However, you can claim 2 personal exemptions, 1 for you and 1 for your spouse. In 2006 they are worth $3,300.

Based on what you have said you can claim married filing jointly or married filing separately, most of the time joint is best. The standard deduction for married filing jointly is $10,300 for 2006 pub 501 p 5 middle column and p 22 table 7.

Your spouse’s parents can’t claim her as a dependant any more. You and your spouses right to file a joint return together supersedes her parents right to claim her as a dependant. See table 5 on page 10 bullet 2

With 2 exemptions and the standard deduction you would have to make $16,900 before you would have to file a return, table 1 p 2 or said another way you can subtract $16,900 from your income before you figure your tax.

Answer 2

When you file your taxes since you are now married you will have to file "Married" or "Married - Filing Separate". Generally unless both people earn income and one earns significantly more, and they have special deductions you do not want to file separately.

When you file "Married" you basically are getting credit for having her as a dependent, as with the number of exemptions you can claim. Also, the tax brackets assume 2 incomes. So for example, if you are the only one with an income if you were in a 28% tax bracket when you filed single, when you file married you may now only be at a 20% tax bracket. You should also adjust your W-4 with your employer to refect your married status.

The thing that you have to check and make sure is that her parents do not still try and claim her as a dependent. If so then it could effect your taxes.

Answer 3

A spouse can never be claimed as a dependent. But if you file a joint return, you'll get a $3400 exemption and a $5350 standard deduction for each of you. You don't both have to have income in order to file a joint return.

It's not called claiming her as a dependent, but you get an exemption for her which financially works out the same - and since the two of you together get a doubled standard deduction from that of a single person, it gets even better.

Answer 4

From the day you are married you have two choices. 1 Married filing separately (the least desirable filing status) or 2. Married filing jointly (your best option). Since you are married now, her parents are totally out of the picture.

Answer 5

I don't believe you claim her as a dependent so to speak, I think you file jointly but claim head of household. Same difference I think. Do you have an H & R Block in your area or another tax place? I would call them and just ask. They should be able to help.

Answer 6

Married filing separately is a much better deal. Why should you even think about doing otherwise. Her parents can no longer claim her unless you file as married filing separately. This would not be a good deal for you.

Answer 7

You can, all you to have done is contributed to more than half her support.