Last year I claimed my wife on our taxes, she didnt work and I had a salary of about $21,000. I received about $1200 on my refund. This year I am at around $24,000 for the year with my wife as a dependant. My wife is working partime and is at about $4,000 for the year with no dependants. We have no children and we rent. I have been claiming my wife all year as a dependant. Could I even do that? Could I claim my wife as a dependant on this year's tax return? Other people have told me that I cannot claim her and I check the IRS website and they don't have a specific answer to my question. We will be filing jointly.
2007-12-11 04:27:08 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
Wives are never a dependent.
You file a joint return with her and your incomes are combined. You receive a higher standard deduction and an additional personal exemption when file a joint return.
You may want to have a professional look at last years return. You may have more money coming back.
2007-12-11 04:32:56 · answer #1 · answered by Wayne Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically you don't claim a spouse as a dependent. But you can file a joint return, which will probably minimize your taxes. If your wife is also working and has made $4000 for the year, you'd have been better to just claim one allowance on your W-4 rather than two, but it shouldn't hurt you a lot. You might or might not get much of a refund - will likely be less than last year. They won't have taken much if anything out of her wages, but you'll be declaring both of your incomes on the joint return.
2007-12-11 04:58:32 · answer #2 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are confusing different things.
The tax return at the end of the year has exemptions on it. If you and your wife file a joint return, you will combine your income, claim the standard deduction and 2 exemptions. (By the way your wife is your spouse and her exemption is equal to yours, she is never a dependent.) After you calculate your tax bill you compare it your withholding and you either get a refund or you owe.
Your withholding is governed by your W-4. Apparently on your W-4 you claimed married with 2 allowances; and on your wife she claimed married with 0 allowances. These numbers are usually fine. (A "withholding allowance" is not technically your dependent, but the numbers usually line up.)
2007-12-11 04:33:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suspect your income tax return was filed correctly for 2006, and that you are simply using incorrect terminology. Many people say they claim their spouse as a "dependent", when in fact the technical term for a spouse is "exemption."
The result is the same, as you get the same deduction amount for an exemption as for a dependent.
You can continue to file MFJ. All you need to do is to combine your both your W-2 amounts before entering them on the various lines. Like last year, you get to claim an exemption for each of you.
2007-12-11 06:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by taxreff 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be claimed as a dependent, the person must either be your qualifying child or your qualifying relative. Your wife does not qualify as either of those. You cannot claim her as a dependent this year and you should not have claimed her last year.
You should file taxes jointly and since you say you have no children, you will have no dependents. That means you will have 2 "exemptions." One for you and one for your wife.
2007-12-11 04:36:39 · answer #5 · answered by Stacia Z 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Joint tax filing, add her income to yours, total taxable is $28,000 with 2 dependants allowance then with a standard deduction, the odds are you will still get a refund.
Just follow the forms. It's legal.
2007-12-11 04:40:22 · answer #6 · answered by Sandie B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From what i understand, you cannot claim someone on your return if they are working themselves. I don't think it matters how many dependants you claim during the year... it's what goes on in the tax office at the end of the year that matters. You're best choice would be to file a joint return.
2007-12-11 04:34:49 · answer #7 · answered by BLUEEYEZ80 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The IRS will deliver you a letter. companion's father mess you up. whilst his daughter have been given married on December 15 than he might desire to of no longer declare her for his 2007 taxes. you could no longer report unmarried then you certainly are submitting a pretend return. I mentioned be honest and report as Married submitting together. Your father in regulation is additionally contacted by potential of the IRS. this might all be prevented yet your companion's father desires to amend his 2007 taxes and get rid of his daughter from his state and federal taxes.
2016-10-11 01:41:13 · answer #8 · answered by riva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your wife isn't a dependent. You should file a joint return and get joint return rates. File an amended return for last year changing your status.
2007-12-11 04:31:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Your wife is a SPOUSE, not a dependant. You get "credit", as it were, when you file a joint return.
2007-12-11 04:37:51 · answer #10 · answered by SDD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋