Child federal efile tax return getting rejected - first return

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
April 10, 2024
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This is the first year I'm filing a tax return for my child and I'm trying to efile it. There's no AGI for the previous year and no PIN so I enter 0 for AGI and leave the previous years PIN emtpy. I need to set a PIN for the current year which I do when I efile it I get an error

If the Primary Taxpayer is under the age of 16 and has never filed a tax return, then `PINTypeCd` in the Return Header must not have the value "Self-Select On-Line"

Is there any way to eFile the federal returns for a first time minor or do I have to it via snail mail?

EDIT: If I have to do it via paper, then do I need to fill out the "Paid Preparer Use Only" or can I just sign on behalf of my child? (there no taxes or refunds due, $0 return). Is there any way to set the PIN for 2023 on the paper return that will needed for a 2024 eFile?

Not A Product Question

Best answer by xmasbaby0

If the child was younger than 16 at the end of 2023 the return has to be filed by mail. Print it, have the child sign and date it in ink and mail it in.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

xmasbaby0Answer

Employee

If the child was younger than 16 at the end of 2023 the return has to be filed by mail. Print it, have the child sign and date it in ink and mail it in.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

TaxWanderAuthor

Thanks, so I understand this correctly. My child has only 1 source of income, a W2 from a family business. The income is $6100 and being a family business there's no tax due or withheld.

So when I prepare the 1040 paper return, it'll be all 0's for taxes. I'll have my child sign/date it, not myself if I understand correctly.

Since the amount is less than the state minimum I was told that it's not required to file a state tax return, just the federal since there was a Roth contribution and the systems needs to be able to reconcile. From my understanding there's no specific entry on a tax return to indicate Roth contributions, so it's only the W-2 income.

Since there is no tax withholding, do I need to attach the W2 (or W3)? Is there anything else that needs to be attached to the 1040 paper return?

Regarding the PIN, I don't see anywhere on the 1040 an option to set the PIN, so what happens when I have to file the 2024 taxes for my child and it asks for a PIN?

xmasbaby0

Employee

Unless you request a 6 digit IP PIN from the IRS for security purposes, the five digit PIN is self-selected---you can use whatever you want that you can easily remember.

If you want to file the return by mail attach the W-2 even though no tax was withheld. Nothing else to attach.