Do I need to file taxes when I am a student, but have a W2?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 19, 2021
2 replies
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I am a full time student , 21 years old, made less than $11,000 and got a w2 for some part time work... do I need to file taxes?

xmasbaby0

Employee

Was tax withheld from your paychecks? Is there an amount in box 2 of your W-2 that you would like to receive back as a refund?

If you can be claimed as a dependent on your parents' tax return then in My Info you need to say that you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return.

**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.**

Hal_Al

Employee

If that W-2 is your only income, you do not need to file. The filing requirement is $12,400 for most people.

If you have withholding shown in box 2 or box 17, of the W-2, you are allowed to file to get that refunded. You could be eligible for TT Free e-file The FREE FILE Edition is located at:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom

For others reading this, be advised that there are special rules for dependents on filing.

A dependent must file a tax return for 2020 if he had any of the following:

Total income (wages, salaries, taxable scholarship etc.) of more than $12,400 (2020).
Unearned income (interest, dividends, capital gains, unemployment) of more than $1100.
Unearned income over $350 and gross income of more than $1100
Household employee income (e.g. baby sitting, lawn mowing) over $2100 ($12.400 if under age 18)
Other self employment income over $432, including money on a form 1099-NEC

Even if he had less, he is allowed to file if he needs to get back income tax withholding. He cannot get back social security or Medicare tax withholding.

In TurboTax, he indicates that somebody else can claim him as a dependent, at the personal information section.

CA4Author

I have money listed in boxes 1-6 on one of my W2s. I also have a 1099 NEC.

Should (Can) I file my own taxes or have my parents claim me with the paperwork on theirs?

VolvoGirl

Employee

If you have a 1099NEC that is self employment income and you have to file a return and pay self employment tax on it. When you file a return you need to include all your income on the same return. So yes you have to file.

Since you are a full time student you still qualify as their dependent. To file a separate return as a dependent you need to set up a new account separate from your parents. Online is only good for one return per account. You can use the same email address for 5 accounts. You can probably use the Free Edition or the Free File website

Https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894512-how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-online

Be sure on your return you check the box that says you can be claimed on someone else’s return.

Filing requirements for a dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/children-dependents/help/do-i-need-to-file-my-own-taxes-if-i-m-a-dependent/00/26111