When filing income tax, what is the better choice?

Question

I know it's still a long way off, but my husband and I are wondering what would be a better choice for us.

Should we file jointly or should my husband file by himself?

I am a college student, and I don't work. He recently started working, he gets paid about $15/hr. We have one child.

Which one would benefit us more? Can he still claim me even if he files by himself?

Answer 1

While the general guidance is to prepare your returns both ways and file whichever way works out best, when only one of you has an income it is always best to file a joint return.

There is no "child allowance" or "Wife Rebate" as one other respondent claims.  Nor will filing separately affect your eligibility for student aid as another claims because the entire family income is taken into consideration for financial aid determinations.

Answer 2

File jointly unless it interferes with any student loans u may receive

Answer 3

Filing a joint return will be your best choice.  He doesn't "claim" you, you file a joint return and together you get an exemption for each of you.

Answer 4

Your husband should file jointly in order he can claim for Child allowance and Wife Rebate. It will benefit you more.

In future, if you come out to work, you have income, you can do the tax computation to show which one suit is more benefit.

Answer 5

Generally it is to your advantage to file Married Filing Jointly if you are in fact legally married on 12-31 of a given tax year.  You will hear lots of stories and schemes about filing "separately".  However the only legal method for a married couple, living together, is Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately. It is rare that the latter is of any advantage to the taxpayers.