UPDATE: I deleted the file and started over to make sure I had no leftover data on some worksheet somewhere.
When I entered the $2819 as miscellaneous income, it calculated the standard deduction as $1100, I think since I can claim him as a dependent?? So it shows owing $171 in Federal tax. So I guess he needs to file.
What's a little confusing is that the 2019 IRS Pub 501 Table 2 says if a parent can claim him as a dependent (true), as a single dependent under age 65 and not blind, he does not have to file (because of unearned income less than $1100, earned income less than $12,200 and gross income less than to limits in the table). Apparently "Miscellaneous Income" doesn't fall under the definition of "earned income"? I see TurboTax put $0 in the Earned Income Worksheet.
OK, I think that solves it.
