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New Member
posted Jan 18, 2025 1:35:35 PM

Do I file my taxes separately from my 17 year old daughter or do we file jointly

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3 Replies
Level 15
Jan 18, 2025 1:37:48 PM

Report her income on her own return if she has a filing requirement or is filing to get her tax withheld. Be on her return that you check the box saying that someone can claim her. 

Level 15
Jan 18, 2025 2:37:23 PM

And if you are using the "Online" software....you must use a separate account for her.  Do Not use your own "Online" account.

 

If you use the Desktop/Download software, you can create separate tax returns for multiple family members on it with one software package....as long as you only use a computer(s) you actually own.

Level 15
Jan 18, 2025 2:39:11 PM

"Joint" returns are filed by legally married couples--not by a parent and child.

 

 

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/