My daughter also has small income tax to file. How do I do that and claim her on my taxes?

[meagsmom1]

Does it matter if I file first or if she files first?

[MaryK1 · Accepted solution]

A dependent has to file a separate tax return, you cannot add your dependent's income on your tax return.

A dependent is not required to file a tax return if there is only earned income (from working) less than $6,300 but if taxes were withheld (Box 2 W2) and a tax return is filed, the withholding will be refunded.  If you are claiming a dependent, on the dependent's tax return in Turbo Tax be sure to indicate that "someone else can claim as a dependent"  and "someone else will claim "  in the Personal Info section so the correct exemption is applied.

[meagsmom1]

But I can still file my taxes like normal with her as a dependent since she lives with me and she has very little income, correct?

[MaryK1]

Yes, correct-- I recommend doing your tax return first and hers after- the issue is that if she "claims" herself, the exemption is applied to her tax return and not yours.  It prevents you from being able to efile your tax return for the tax year and you must amend her tax return to correct it. (just extra work and time).  Most of the time, a dependent does not have enough income for the exemption to apply to so it is better for the parents to claim it

[meagsmom1]

Thank you.

[MaryK1]

You are most welcome!