I am under 18 and a dependent, but I accidentally claimed exempt all year. I made around $2500. What will happen? Will I be audited or worse?

[coolmae]

It was my first job, so I thought I was filing just as a normal single person and exempt was correct. I had no idea it was different for being a dependent. I have no extra withholdings, didn't donate to charity or anything like that. I just can't seem to get a straight answer about what will happen to me when I file.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Breathe...you will not be audited, nor will you owe tax.  You did not make enough to have a tax liability (meaning that you owe anything).   If you did not have any tax withheld--nothing in box 2 of your W-2, then you do not even need to file a tax return.  

Going forward, if you continue to work, even if you are going to be claimed as a dependent, fill out a W-4 at work and claim 1, so that "some"  tax is withheld.  That way, if you make more in 2019 you will not end up owing, and maybe you will even get a tax refund next time.