Hal_Al
Level 15

Retirement tax questions

If you got a form 1099 (1099-B, 1099-Div, 1099-INT) from a custodial account, you must report it on your child's tax return*. The fact that you got the 1099 means there was reportable income. The fact that you did not remove the money form the account does not make it  non-taxable. 

You do not report his/her income on your return. If it has to be reported at all, it goes on his own return*. If your dependent child is under age 19 (or under 24 if a full time student), he or she must file a tax return for 2016 if he had any of the following:

1.         Total income (wages, salaries, taxable scholarship etc.) of more than $6,300 (2016).

2.         Unearned income (interest, dividends, capital gains) of more than $1050 (2016).

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

4.         Household employee income (e.g. baby sitting, lawn mowing) over $2000 ($6300 if under age 18)

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

*If his only income is from interest and dividends, Alaska PFD or capital gains distributions shown on a 1099-DIV, there is a provision for entering it on your return, using form 8814.