If you were providing a W-9, you did not have an "employer." They intended to treat you like an independent contractor and issue a 1099NEC or 1099Misc to you. That means they would not withhold any tax, Social Security or Medicare from your paychecks and you would have to pay it all yourself when you filed a tax return.
So..it sounds like the job just did not pan out. What they say did not match is a mystery--since you have never filed a return before. All the IRS would have for you would be the SSN, etc that your parents have used when they have claimed you as a dependent.
But----did you do any work for this gaming company? Did they stiff you and not pay?
And....you mentioned being 18. Your parents can claim you as a dependent until you are 19, or until you are 24 if you are a full-time student. Here are the rules so that when you do find a job and have a tax return to file --you will know.
WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?
You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2020 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:
Qualifying child
• They are related to you.
• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).
- No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children
• They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).
Qualifying relative
• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year.
• They made less than $4300 (not counting Social Security)
• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info
When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.
Related Information:
• Does a dependent have to live with me?
• What does "financially support another person" mean?
• Can I claim a newborn baby?
**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.**
