Minor child social security benefits

[nesac]

My minor daughter started receiving a social security benefit when I retired and I started collecting my social security benefit . This year she earned  $12,481.00 from social security. She has no other income.

1)Does she need to file a tax return?

2) If so, can she file a separate return from mine(ours)? (My wife and I file jointly)

3)If so, what form should she use?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Unless your child has some other income--like from an after school job, etc.---she does not have to file a return.   Someday if she has other income then the SSA1099 will go on her own return.  Her SSA1099 will never go on your return.

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

1) No, she does not need to file a return.  If you are single with combined income of less than $25,000, your social security benefits are not taxable.

2) Generally, you cannot include your child's income on your return. 

[SabreTrooper]

I'm in the same situation.  What if I do file a return for my 2 year old child?  Is there any benefit to that?  I assume I would file their return as single, not HOH and that someone else (my wife and I filing jointly) can (and will) claim them as a dependant.

[VolvoGirl]

No benefit to file a tax return for her.  If she only gets Social Security it is not taxable and she doesn't have to file.  And you don't report her income on your tax return.  Nobody reports it.

[xmasbaby0]

@SabreTrooper If your child is receiving SS benefits as a survivor, etc., there is no benefit to filing a tax return for a two year old.  You do not put the child's SS on your own return.   Unless the child has other income---like is the child a model who received income?--- there is no reason to file a tax return for a toddler.

And...despite the SS the child is receiving, the child can still be claimed as a dependent by the parent(s).