Question

Child gets survivors benefits

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
July 31, 2024
2 replies
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If a minor child gets survivor’s benefits due to a deceased parent, are those benefits claimed by the surviving parent? Also, at what point does the child have to claim them if they get a job at say 16 or 17? Thank you.

Ask the Experts - Dependents - July 2024

B

Bsch4477

Employee

The benefits are the child’s. They would only pay tax if they had other significant income. See details here.

https://www.irs.gov/faqs/social-security-income/survivors-benefits/survivors-benefits

J

Jennifer_A

Most income is considered taxable income. That being said, social security benefits for children are taxable but usually not taxed because there isn't enough other income to create a tax liability. For example, a child filing as single can have benefits up to $25,000 before any type of tax calculation takes effect.

This article from the IRS gives a good summary https://www.irs.gov/faqs/social-security-income/survivors-benefits/survivors-benefits