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Level 3

Solved

Child's earning

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
April 12, 2026
3 replies
59 views

My son (21 years old) earned $1,800 last summer. Should I include his income in ours, and claim him as a dependent? Or he should file his own tax returns?

Best answer by DawnC

Yes, just make sure he marks on his return that he can be claimed by someone else.

Level 14

No, you don't add your dependents W-2 on your tax return. Your dependent will have to file their own tax return if they meet the filing requirements or file to receive a refund. Have your dependent review the TurboTax Help article Do I need to file a federal return this year? to determine if they have to file a tax return.

If your son can file a tax return to get a refund. When completing his taxes, make sure that he enters that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. ‌ Refer to the TurboTax article: How do I indicate that I can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return?

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wendyle1993Author

Level 3

If my child files his own return, can I still claim him as a dependent? He is now a college student, and I pay all the expenses for him. Thanks!

DawnCAnswer

Level 15

Yes, just make sure he marks on his return that he can be claimed by someone else.

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