My federal taxes are set as Married Filing Jointly but I'm a minor. What do I do?

[AnixousTaxpayer]

I am a minor and the HR department messed up my federal taxes by setting it to Married Filing Jointly instead of Single. While my state and city taxes are at Single. They said I don't have anything to worry about since I'm a minor and I only made less than 500 last year and because of that I don't plan to file. They have set it back to Single but I am still worried that I have not paid my taxes correctly. Is there anything I need to worry about?

[Bsch4477]

There is nothing to worry about. Unless you had tax withheld you don’t have to file. 

[AnixousTaxpayer]

As in tax withheld, you mean federal taxes correct? Looking at my w2 I had none federal tax withheld so I am fine right? If I ended up having tax withheld then what do I need to do to fix it? In addition, I want to confirm that there is not possibility that I could have under withdrew taxes resulting in me owing taxes?

[VolvoGirl]

The only way to know if you need to pay taxes is to fill out a tax return.  If you have federal tax withholding and don't owe any tax on your tax return then you would have to file a 1040  tax return to get s refund of the taxes withheld.  

Are you a dependent?  

You don't have to file if you only have W2 income under 12,400 but you can file to get back any withholding taken out in boxes 2 or 17.  But you don't get boxes 4 or 6 back.  If you got a 1099Misc or 1099NEC you have to file it as self employment income no matter how small the amount.

Filing requirements for a dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/children-dependents/help/do-i-need-to-file-my-own-taxes-if-i-m-a-d...

[AnixousTaxpayer]

Yes, I am a dependent and I'll ask my parents to file for me if I have to. I think I might as a precaution to make sure nothing has gonna wrong but I am very doubtful that I have to pay back any taxes as there was no federal taxes withheld from my paycheck and also I am no where near the threshold for the next tax bracket so the Married Filing Jointly didn't do a thing. I am only asking this question to fully understand what my best course of action is. 

[VolvoGirl]

For the future.  It doesn't matter what you claim at work on the W4 and doesn't have to match the filing status on your tax return.   That is only to tell your employer how much to take out.   The withholding is only an estimate of the tax due on your return.   Like I'm married but claim Single to have more withholding taken out.  

[AnixousTaxpayer]

That reminds me, I forgot to ask if the IRS knows that I am single and a minor instead of being married or does the filing status does not affect that?

[VolvoGirl]

They only know what you file on your actual tax return.   Not the W4 for withholding at work.  If you don't file a return they don't know you.  Except from your parents claiming you as a dependent.

[AnixousTaxpayer]

Ah I understand. Thank you very much. I think it best that I file just in case.

[VolvoGirl]

If you are a dependent be sure to check the box that says you can be claimed on someone else's return.  

[Bsch4477]

Correct. You’re fine. At an income of $500  no tax needed to be withheld and you don’t have to file a return. No worries. No harm done. 

[AnixousTaxpayer]

Is it true that if I owe less than 1000 dollars to the IRS that I won't get penalized? I definitely owe less than 1000 since I didn't make a 1000 neither the less made enough to file or get federal tax withheld with or without having my martial status as married. Sorry I have asked since I have an anxiety disorder and in need of reinsurance. Also the IRS know that I am single right? I know I have gotten an answer from the person earlier but it's nice to hear the same answer from another person.