dependent tax filing (no income in 2022)

[Mikewithaquestion]

Hi - my dependent son didn't make enough in 2022 to have to pay taxes, according to TurboTax.  It says he doesn't have to file.

1. Should he file anyway? The only reason I've seen would be to recover federal tax withheld from paychecks throughout 2022.  He had no paychecks, no earned income and just a few dollars of unearned income (bank interest).

2. Does it hurt if he does not file if he's not required to?

[PattiF · Accepted solution]

No, he does not need to file if he had no federal withholding from a W-2 and if his interest is below the amount that would require a return to be filed.

It does not hurt or cause a problem if he does not file. He does not need to file a return for the tax year 2022.