My 16 year old son received a 1099-DIV for his investments(1a=$55.06) (1b=$55.06)(2a=$1,447.20)

[pjdahlgren]

Do we file anything or nothing at all since he is a minor and our dependant?

[rjs]

Since your son is a dependent and has more than $1,100 of "unearned" income, i.e. investment income, he is required to file a tax return and report the 1099-DIV. (This is assuming he is not blind.)

Being a dependent does not give him an exception to filing a tax return. In fact, it's just the opposite. If he were not a dependent he would not have to file a tax return for so little income.

Being a minor makes no difference at all. The filing requirements are the same for anyone under 65 years old.

If the 1099-DIV is your son's only income, there is an option to report his income on your tax return, but it's generally not a good idea to do that. The only advantage is that it's a little less paperwork, but you could end up paying more tax than if he files his own tax return.

[Hal_Al]

Even though he is required to file a tax return (the $1100 unearned income rule), he will not owe any tax as his income is all capital gains and qualified dividends under $2200 (taxed at 0%).

Because his income is less than $2200, form 8615 ("kiddie tax") will not be generated. 

[rjs]

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@Hal_Al wrote:

I think the investment income prevents him from using the free edition of TT. 

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If the 1099-DIV in the question is the son's only income, he should be able to use TurboTax Free Edition. The income is only dividends and capital gain distributions on the 1099-DIV. There are no capital gains that require Form 8949 or Schedule D. Everything will be reported directly on Form 1040.