conversation: User (Dyloc): "I've already filed taxes for this year but my wife and I were still a bit unsure about my next question. \n\nShe is a stay at home mother of our 17 mont old son and has not had a job since about a month before he was born.  Am I able to claim her as a dependent on my tax returns? She has had no income since then and it seems like obviously she "depends" on me for her wellbeing. When I was filing it stated that a spouse can not be claimed as dependent. \n\nIt seems like it's better to be separated and together than married by law when it comes to taxes, at least in this case. "
  Self: "You already get a significant tax break from being married. Claiming her as a dependent would be like "double dipping" on tax breaks, thus the rule."
  User (Dyloc): "Ok that makes some sense. I assume that's because when married we fall under a different tax bracket, making my income fall on the low end allowing us more breaks? "
  tdogz12 (tdogz12): "In addition to the tax breaks from being in the married brackets, you also get two standard deductions (assuming you aren't itemizing deductions) and two personal exemptions when you file a joint return."
  