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January 14, 2024
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Where do I enter my 16 year old child's w2

  • January 14, 2024
  • 2 replies
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Best answer by rjs

The child's W-2 has to be entered on the child's own tax return, if he or she files a tax return. It cannot be entered on your tax return.


A 16-year old child who can be claimed as a dependent (by you or anyone else) must file a tax return if any of the following apply.

1. The child's unearned income was more than $1,250.

2. The child's earned income was more than $13,850.

3. The child's gross income was more than the larger of:

a. $1,250, or

b. The child's earned income (up to $13,450) plus $400.

 

Basically earned income is income from working. Unearned income is typically investment income such as interest or dividends, or anything else other than income from working.

 

2 replies

DoninGA
Employee
January 14, 2024

You do not enter a dependent child's W-2 on your tax return.  The child does not need to file if their gross income for the year is $13,850 or less.  However, if federal income taxes were withheld from their wages then should file a tax return to get a refund of the taxes withheld.  

rjs
rjsAnswer
Employee
January 15, 2024

The child's W-2 has to be entered on the child's own tax return, if he or she files a tax return. It cannot be entered on your tax return.


A 16-year old child who can be claimed as a dependent (by you or anyone else) must file a tax return if any of the following apply.

1. The child's unearned income was more than $1,250.

2. The child's earned income was more than $13,850.

3. The child's gross income was more than the larger of:

a. $1,250, or

b. The child's earned income (up to $13,450) plus $400.

 

Basically earned income is income from working. Unearned income is typically investment income such as interest or dividends, or anything else other than income from working.