topic Re: efiling for a 12 year old in After you file

efiling for a 12 year old

user17718791660 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:50:00 GMT

This is the second year my grandson has to file a tax return just to pay self employment tax. Last year we sent in a paper return with no issues.

2025 TurboTax says all the calculations and forms are correct. The boy does not have a drivers license nor a passport. We selected 'no ID' and the Feds rejected the return saying 'The IRS couldn't confirm your identify'.

Should we efile using the fathers identification information?

Does the boy have to continue to submit paper forms until he is old enough to get a drivers license?

Re: efiling for a 12 year old

DoninGA — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:51:45 GMT

A person must be age 16 or older to e-fie a tax return. Since he is 12 the tax return has to be printed and mailed.

Re: efiling for a 12 year old

xmasbaby0 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:52:35 GMT

He is too young to e-file. It is not based on having a driver's license, although it is based on age. Until he is at least 16, his returns will have to be filed by mail. Print it, have him sign and date it in ink, and mail the return in.

Re: efiling for a 12 year old

user17718791660 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:50:22 GMT

Thank you for the reply. A couple of other references confirm your analysis is the issue.

TurboTax should have flagged the age issue for digital signatures since TurboTax had the child's birthdate. Being an retired IT manager, I view this as a programming bug.

Thank you again for the prompt response. We will paper file his return.