If your wife didnt work in 09 do you have to file jointly this year?

As long as you are still married you should choose to file using the married filing joint status on your 1040 federal income tax return.

Other wise your filing status would be married filing a separate tax return.

MFJ you would have 2 exemption to start with on the MFJ income tax return.

If she did not work she would not have any earned income that would have to be added to your earned income on the 1040 tax form.