Do I need to file tax return as dependent in 2024?

[v2021]

I am trying to understand whether my daughter needs to file tax return in 2024, I am claiming her as a dependent on my return. She made $4000 earned income and $400 from selling stocks (unearned income), the info I found in very confusing.

IRS publication https://www.irs.gov/individuals/check-if-you-need-to-file-a-tax-return says that gross income ($4400 = $4000 + $400) was more than earned income plus $450, which is $4450, then filing is required. So based on this  filing is not required in her case.

TurboTax publication https://ttlc.intuit.com/content/p_cg_tt_na_cas_na_article:L08E2JVAg_US_en_US says the same, but it is plus $400 not $450 as in IRS.

If to run IRS Interactive Tax Assistant https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return then it says filing is required as "Your return's gross income is equal to, or exceeds, $4,350.00." It seems it adds $350 to the earned income and not $450 as in their (IRS) publication.

Question is what information is correct and whether tax return is required in this situation?

Thank you

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Since her unearned income is less than $1,300 and her earned income is less than $14,600 she is not required to file a tax return. 

The IRS website you posted has a table for Dependent Income - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/check-if-you-need-to-file-a-tax-return

If federal income taxes were withheld from her wages as a W-2 employee she should file to get a tax refund.  If the $4,000 was not from wages as W-2 employee but from self-employment she is required to file since her self-employment income is $400 or more.  If this is the case then she needs to use a Schedule C for the income and expenses.

If for any reason she files a tax return make sure that she indicates on her tax return that she can be claimed as a dependent.

[v2021]

$4000 is W2 wages, no federal taxes were withheld.

I am confused with the different output by reading IRS publication and running Interactive Tax Assistant from the same IRS.

I guess IRS publication should be considered to be correct. Am I right here?

[DoninGA]

@v2021 You are correct.  The IRS publications are the final word.

[v2021]

Thank you!