Special rule for spouse who is a student or incapable of caring for himself In the case of a spouse who is a student or a qualifying individual described in subsection (b)(1)(C), for purposes of paragraph (1), such spouse shall be deemed for each month during which such spouse is a full-time student at an educational institution, or is such a qualifying individual, to be gainfully employed and to have earned income of not less than— (A) $250 if subsection (c)(1) applies for the taxable year, or (B) $500 if subsection (c)(2) applies for the taxable year. (e) Inflation adjustment (1) In general In the case of any taxable year beginning after 2023, the dollar amounts in this section shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2022 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii). (2) Rounding If any increase under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $10, such increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10. (f) Special rules For purposes of this section— (1) Place of abode An individual shall not be treated as having the same principal place of abode of the taxpayer if at any time during the taxable year of the taxpayer the relationship between the individual and the taxpayer is in violation of local law. (2) Married couples must file joint return If the taxpayer is married at the close of the taxable year, the credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) only if the taxpayer and his spouse file a joint return for the taxable year. (3) Marital status An individual legally separated from his spouse under a decree of divorce or of separate maintenance shall not be considered as married. (4) Certain married individuals living apart If— (A) an individual who is married and who files a separate return— (i) maintains as his home a household which constitutes for more than one-half of the taxable year the principal