Dependent child required to file taxes in California?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
March 31, 2024
2 replies
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My 18 year old dependent son is a student full time and working a part time job. He made about $9,000 last year.

I started to do his taxes in Turbo Tax desktop version and it shows he should get about $260 back from the federal and $1 back from the state of California, where we both reside.

I will file his federal return since Turbo Tax provides free e-filing. But do I need to file his California tax return ? The filing fee online is $25 using Turbo Tax or if I print and mail it seems like a bit of a hassle.

I'd like to just e-file the Federal and not file the state at all, is that possible?

Best answer by MinhT1

Yes, you can just not file your son's California return.

Your son isn't required to file a California tax return as his income is below $21,561. See this CA Revenue document.

MinhT1Answer

Yes, you can just not file your son's California return.

Your son isn't required to file a California tax return as his income is below $21,561. See this CA Revenue document.

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cmunchhof1

This is incorrect. A person claimed as dependent in CA has a much lower filing threshold than a normal Single filer. A dependent is required to file a CA tax return if their income is higher than the CA standard deduction as noted on page 3 of FTB Pub 1031. The standard deduction has been around $5,000 for a few years in CA, so any dependent who earned $9,000 would be required to file.

Bsch4477

Employee

You can file the federal return and not the state. Or mail the state.