Does my child have to file a tax return if I'm claiming him and he made less than 2000 for the year?

I claimed my son but he didnt make much so he didnt file. Does he need to he make 1200.00

Hal_Al
Level 15

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

If the less than $2000 income was from W-2 wages, he does not need to file. 

If the income is from other sources, he probably does need to file.

You do not report his/her income on your return. If it has to be reported, at all, it goes on his own return. Your dependent child  must file a tax return for 2018 if he had any of the following:

1.         Total income (wages, salaries, taxable scholarship etc.) of more than $12,000 ($6350 in 2017).

2.         Unearned income (interest, dividends, capital gains) of more than $1050.

3.         Unearned income over $350 and gross income of more than $1050

4.         Household employee income (e.g. baby sitting, lawn mowing) over $2100 ($12.000 if under age 18)

5.         Other self employment income over $400, including box 7 of a 1099-MISC

 

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.