Refer to Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filling Information, for more information.

A dependency exemption may only be claimed on one return. Since your son is a qualifying child for both of you, you and your wife can decide who will claim the child. If you cannot agree on who will claim him refer to Tie-Breaker Rule in Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filling Information,

References:

• Form 2120 (PDF), Multiple Support Declaration
• Tax Topic 354, Dependents

Since your children lived with you for the greater part of the year, you are considered the custodial parent and you are the parent who is eligible to claim them as dependents on your tax return if the other dependency tests are met. Your husband is the non-custodial parent and would only be able to claim the children if you release your claim to the exemption by completing Form 8332 (PDF), Release of Claim to Exemption for Child of Divorced or Separated Parents, or signing a substantially similar statement. Please be aware that if you release your claim to the dependency exemption for a child, you may not claim a Child Tax Credit for that child.

Refer to Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information or Publication 504, Divorced or Separated Individuals, for more information on the special rule for children of divorced or separated parents.

References:

• Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information
• Publication 504, Divorced or Separated Individuals
• Form 8332 (PDF), Release of Claim to Exemption for Child of Divorced or Separated Parents
• Tax Topic 354, Dependents

If you and your spouse file separate returns and one of you itemizes deductions, the other spouse will have a standard deduction of zero. Therefore, the other spouse should also itemize deductions.

You may be able to claim itemized deductions on a separate return for certain expenses that you paid separately or jointly with your spouse. Deductible expenses that are paid out of separate funds, such as medical expenses, are deductible by the spouse who pays them. If these expenses are paid from community funds, the deduction may depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. In a community property state, the deduction is, generally, divided equally between you and your spouse. For more information refer to Publication 504, Divorced or Separated Individuals; and Publication 555, Community Property.

No. A married individual filing a separate return can not claim the Hope Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit.

For more information, refer to Form 8863 (PDF), Education Credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits), Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, or Tax Topic 605, Education Credits.

References:

• Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education
• Tax Topic 605, Education Credits
• Form 8863 (PDF), Education Credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits)

In order to qualify for the earned income credit, your filing status cannot be married filing separately. If you are married, you usually must file a joint return to claim the earned income credit.

However, if you are married and your spouse did not live in your home at any time during the last 6 months of the year, you may be able to file as head of household. In that case, you may be able to claim the earned income credit.

Please refer to Publication 596, Earned Income Credit, for a complete discussion of the earned income credit. Refer to Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information, for the head of household filing status rules.

References:

• Tax Topic 601, Earned Income Credit