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My child got a W2 in 2020 for about $2,100 . Should I report on my married filing jointly return or file a separate return - or ignore it since its below $12400.

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
September 30, 2021
3 replies
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Does it matter where the money was earned from e.g. internship with an IT company or working for a non-profit religious org? If filing is required anyways, then what are the consequence of missing to file a child tax return or reporting on your own return, if the total earned income is below the $12400 limit?

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Best answer by Opus 17

You NEVER report a child's income earned from working on your tax return. Income earned from working is only ever reported on a tax return in that person's own name. (Sometimes, if a child's ONLY income is from investments, it can be included on a parent's return, but not if the income is from working.)

The child will file their own return. In this case, since it is less than $12,400, they are not required to file unless they had withholding and want it refunded. The child must answer "yes, I can be claimed as a dependent by someone else" on their tax return.

A child's income does not, by itself, change their dependent status, as long as they meet the normal qualifying rules.

X

xmasbaby0

Employee

MY DEPENDENT HAD A JOB

If your dependent has a W-2 for his after-school job, summer job, etc. you do not include the information on your own return. You can still claim your child as a dependent on your own return. He/she can file his own return for a refund of some of his withheld wages (he won’t get back anything for Social Security or Medicare), but MUST indicate on it that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. (Supervise this closely or prepare it for him!)

If your dependent’s earnings were over $400 and were reported on a 1099Misc or 1099NEC then he must file a return and pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare. You may want to use this version of TT for that:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

**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.**

O

Opus 17Answer

Employee

You NEVER report a child's income earned from working on your tax return. Income earned from working is only ever reported on a tax return in that person's own name. (Sometimes, if a child's ONLY income is from investments, it can be included on a parent's return, but not if the income is from working.)

The child will file their own return. In this case, since it is less than $12,400, they are not required to file unless they had withholding and want it refunded. The child must answer "yes, I can be claimed as a dependent by someone else" on their tax return.

A child's income does not, by itself, change their dependent status, as long as they meet the normal qualifying rules.

F

farhan_ahmadAuthor

yes, there is amount witheld in Fed, SS tax and medicare (box 2, 4 and 6). So the only consequence of not filing would be not getting some of that tax withheld back OR there are other consequences/penalties? The total amount witheld in these 3 boxes is less less than $250 so even if some of it is returned it won't be much - that's why I am evaluating is it worth the hassle if it's not required to file.

Are there any other benefits of filing? e.g. the child receive a separate stimulas check!

X

xmasbaby0

Employee

The only amount your child can get back as a refund is the amount in box 2 for federal tax withheld and perhaps in box 17 if state tax was withheld. He cannot get back anything that was withheld for Social Security or Medicare in boxes 3 or 4. He is not "required" to file a tax return to get back a refund, but most kids like money, so why would he not file and get a refund?

No---he is still your dependent so he is NOT eligible for a stimulus check. Dependents do not get stimulus checks.

**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.**

M

Mike9241

if the child had self-employment income of under $400 (1099-misc, 1099-NEC or compensation for which no tax form was received) and there was no federal withholding on forms W-2 (box 2), no Federal return need be filed. if your state has an income tax a return may be required.