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New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 2:57:32 PM

If I claim my 16 year old as a dependent, can he still file his own tax return? I cover all his expenses. He only worked a part time job for a few months.

If I claim my 16 year old as a dependent, can he still file his own tax return? I cover all his expenses. He only worked a part time job for a few months and only earned about $2000.

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19 Replies
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:34 PM

Will this affect the amount of the dependent's personal refund?

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:35 PM

Will what affect it? your above is a comment connected directly to your question. So I don't know which other comment or answer you're referring to in this thread.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:37 PM

Will claiming him as a dependent while he does his own separate personal filing affect his personal tax return refund amount?

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:39 PM

It could. If your son earned more than $3900, then he'll pay taxes on anything he earned over that amount, is all. But I bet he still gets "something" back anyway. It's a fair bet that more tax was withheld from his paychecks than was necessary. But you just won't know until he completes his tax return.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:40 PM

I didn't work last year I've been on workmen s compensation so I can still claim my kids

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:41 PM

You are posting to a 2 year old thread.  The short answer is that workman's compensation is not taxable, so you do not have to file a tax return if that was your only income.  There would be no benefit or reason to file.  If you have further information to add to your question, please post a new question instead of using this old thread.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:43 PM

My 2 15,16 years old daughter's both Worked so can I claim their income on my taxes since they live with me

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:44 PM

No, you cannot claim your dependents' earned income on your return. (You should post your questions as new questions rather than adding them as comments to a 2-year-old thread.)

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:46 PM

@TurboTaxAnita please archive this thread. The add-ons to this thread make my recommended answer appear to apply to those add-ons, and WILL cause readers to do things flat out wrong. This thread needs to go away.

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:47 PM

Absolutely. But when your son files his tax return, he must select the option for "I can be claimed on someone else's return".

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:49 PM

How do I check the box after filing already?

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:50 PM

Please start your own thread.  This one is 4 yrs old

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:53 PM

yes he can file.  he will just need to say he was claimed by someone else so he doesn't get the exemption for himself

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:56 PM

It would be in your best interest that you claim him because you will get back more.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:57 PM

A person who is a dependent may still have to file a return. It depends on his or her earned income, unearned income, and gross income. but in your case the child income is below 2,055. here is a table that make help. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2014_publink1000220702 

If your parent (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent, use this table to see if you must file a return. 
In this table, unearned income includes taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and capital gain distributions. It also includes unemployment compensation, taxable social security benefits, pensions, annuities, and distributions of unearned income from a trust. Earned income includes salaries, wages, tips, professional fees, and taxable scholarship and fellowship grants. Gross income is the total of your unearned and earned income.
If your gross income was $3,950 or more, you usually cannot be claimed as a dependent unless you are a qualifying child. For details, see Exemptions for Dependents.
Single dependents—Were you either age 65 or older or blind? ?No. You must file a return if any of the following apply.
  1. Your unearned income was more than $1,000.

  2. Your earned income was more than $6,200.

  3. Your gross income was more than the larger of—

    1. $1,000, or

    2. Your earned income (up to $5,850) plus $350.

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:59 PM

Regardless of what he earned, if any income tax was withheld from your son's pay, the only way to get a refund of that withheld tax, is to file a return.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:57:59 PM

@Carl sorry can't do this year, just working as an agent, wanted an easier year

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 2:58:01 PM

Who can? Can you tag them here, so I won't waste your time on this stuff in the future? If this thread is misinterpreted, (and it's a good bet it will be by many) it can cause major issues for tax filers.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 2:58:03 PM

Moderators will be happy to do this for you and I'll ask my manager to check on it but they won't be available for several hours.  Mods are your best bet, they're always willing to help.  I can't see which mods are working now.  So sorry