If I have tax-exempt salary and my spouse does not, can I file jointly and claim exemptions for myself and my spouse, as well as the joint standard deduction?

Of course; you don't have to include any money you receive from these sources in your total income on your return. you can claim two personal exemptions, you and your spouse; however, you can never claim your spouse as your dependent UNLESS you file your returns as MFS and she has no reportable income. UNLESS you itemize deductions on SCh A of 1040, you do claim your standard deductions.

thank you! i am not claiming anything other than just the basic two exemptions (one for me and one for my spouse) and the standard deduction for married filing jointly. i just wasn't sure if i could even claim these since one of the spouse's salary is tax-exempt and not at all included on the return.