My daughter was born 3/30/19. Her father died so every month, she receives 1123.00

[ariesfirefly]

I am employed. Do I have to claim that on taxes? I know it's her money but it goes to my account. How does that work?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

You do not enter the Social Security benefits received by your daughter on your tax return.  If the child has no other type of income then the child does not report the benefits received on a tax return.

[xmasbaby0]

So sorry for the loss you and your child have had.  Do you mean your child is receiving Social Security that is going to your account?  It is not taxable income to you so you do not put it on your tax return.  Someday when she is older if she has a job and earns some money of her own, she will enter the SS benefits on a tax return.  For now, you do not have to do anything to report that income.  

[Anonymous]

Survivor benefits paid to a child are potentially taxable income. The taxability of the benefits is determined using the income of the child receiving benefits. The benefits are taxable only if the child receives a certain amount of income in addition to the benefits. However, in most cases, a child won't receive enough additional income to make the benefits taxable.

you raised a legal question which this forum can't answer.   are you entitled to take her benefits?  

[ariesfirefly]

Her benefits are submitted by direct deposit to my personal checking account. That is all the income she receives (1123/mo). It started July 2019. 

[VolvoGirl]

At the end of this year, like in January 2020 if you get a SSA-1099 for it with her ssn on it you do not have to report it on your return.  It would only go on a return for her if she has other income like W2 or 1099 or interest/dividends, etc.

[Critter]

The only reason the check is paid to your name is because she is a minor ... but it is still her income not yours.