how to add my childs income

How you report your child's investment income depends on how much they've made.  A person is considered your child if they're a dependent under the age of 19 (24 if a full-time student) as of December 31, 2024.

 

• If your child's only income is unearned and doesn't exceed $1,300, it doesn't need to be reported.
• If your child's unearned income is between $1,300 and $14,600, they may need to file their own return, but in certain situations, this income can be included on your return.
• If your child's unearned income is $14,600 or more, they need to file their own return.

Instructions are in the link; just choose your platform, TurboTax Online or Desktop:  How to enter your child's unearned income.   

Generally, you do not include your dependent child's income on your tax return.

If his only income is from interest and dividends, Alaska PFD or capital gains distributions shown on a 1099-DIV, there is a provision for entering it on your return, using form 8814. Enter at Less common income / Child's income.
But, it may be best for him to file a separate return, as qualified dividends and capital gain distributions could be taxed at a higher rate on the parent's return. 

 

You do not report his/her income on your return. If it has to be reported, at all, it goes on his own return. If your dependent child is under age 19 (or under 24 if a full time student), he or she must file a tax return for 2024 if he had any of the following:

1.          Total income (wages, salaries, taxable scholarship etc.) of more than $14,600 ($13,850 for2023).
2.          Unearned income (interest, dividends, capital gains, unemployment, taxable portion of 529 distribution) of more than $1300 ($1250 for 2023). 
3.          Unearned income over $450 and gross income of more than $1300.
4.          Household employee income (e.g. baby sitting, lawn mowing) over $2600 ($14,600 if under age 18)
5.          Other self employment income over $432, including money on a form 1099-NEC

 

Even if he had less, he is allowed to file if he needs to get back income tax withholding. He cannot get back social security or Medicare tax withholding.

In TurboTax, he indicates that somebody else can claim him as a dependent, at the personal information section.