If the capital gain was more than the $1,050 filing requirement or if the $1,200 was self-employed (not W-2) income over $400, he must file a return.
2016 Filing requirements for dependents.
Federal Dependent filing requirements: (State requirements may be different)
1) Dependents unearned income was more than $1,050.
2) Dependents earned income was more than $6,300.
3) Dependents gross income was more than the larger of-
a) $1,050, or
b) Dependents earned income (up to $5,950) plus $350.
Or Dependent had net earnings from self-employment of at least $400.
However, if any tax was withheld, then Dependent might want to file anyway to get a refund of the tax withheld.
Also, a person that CAN be a dependent cannot claim him/her self and must check the box that says that another taxpayer can claim them (whether or not that taxpayer actually claims him/her).
Note: your state filing requirements might be different than the federal.
**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
