Dependent college student

[RosaliaP]

My son is a 21 year old college student and I claim him as a dependent on my tax return.  He has a part time job at a local supermarket.  Does he have to file a separate tax return?  I have not received his W-2 yet, but it should not be more than $10,000 /$11,000 (I don't think).

Thank you very much!

RP

[xmasbaby0]

MY DEPENDENT HAD A JOB

If your dependent has a W-2 for his after-school job, summer job, etc. you do not include the information on your own return. You can still claim your child as a dependent on your own return.  He/she can file his own return for a refund of some of his withheld wages (he won’t get back anything for Social Security or Medicare), but MUST indicate on it that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.  (Supervise this closely or prepare it for him!)

If your dependent’s earnings were over $400 and were reported on a 1099Misc or 1099NEC then he must file a return and pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare.

You might also want to use free software from the IRS Free File versions:

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

[AliciaP1 · Accepted solution]

No, your son may not be required to file a separate tax return. 

xmasbaby0 provides a good resource for information regarding tax filing with earned income.

If his only income was his W-2 income he may still want to file a return if he had federal and/or state withholdings from his wages.  If he had unearned income of more than $1,100 he would have to file a return. 

Please see  Do I need to file my own taxes if I'm a dependent? for more information on dependent filing requirements.

TurboTax Online also offers free filing for simple tax returns filed before 2/15/22.  See TurboTax Online