Stock losses

[ff877]

Hello, I am a senior college student who played around in the stock market last year and lost most of my money. I get that I have to report my taxes to the IRS but I am also a dependent, and I did not earn over 8k so I don't have to file separate papers, but then how would I then report my losses? Do I attach it to my family's tax forms and they get the write-off (up to the 3k)? How does this work?

[VolvoGirl]

No you have to file your own return for it.  Where did you see about under 8,000?   There's nothing about 8,000.

To file a separate return as a dependent you need to set up a new account separate from your parents.  Online is only good for one return per account.  You can use the same email address for 5 accounts.  

Https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894512-how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-online 

Be sure on your return you check the box that says you can be claimed on someone else’s return.  If your only income is W2 and under 12,400 you do not have to file a return except to get back any withholding taken out.

Filing requirements for a dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/children-dependents/help/do-i-need-to-file-my-own-taxes-if-i-m-a-d...

[ff877]

Sorry, I made a mistake about the 8k.  So even though my parents claim me as a dependent and I earned less than $12,400, I still have to file since I have stock losses? Or do I not file a tax return and attach my papers from Robinhood to my parent's tax returns? 

Earned income is less than 12,400

Unearned income is a negative value. 

[VolvoGirl]

No you don't put anything with your parent's return.  You have to file your own return.   The 12,400 is only if you only have W2 income.   You have to file a 1099 B for sales (and include all any other income too).