Dependent child getting SSA benefit, can he file income by himself?

[Simon888]

The child under age of 18 getting SSA benefit. When child file the income tax 1040, can child file as independent on child 1040?

Did not including child on the parent 1040.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

If the Social Security is the ONLY income your child is receiving he does not need to file a tax return.  If he has a job or any other income in addition to the Social Security then his tax return needs to include the SSA1099 when he files a return.  Just because he has income does NOT mean he can say he cannot be a dependent on someone else's tax return.  You say he is under 18.  He certainly can be claimed as a dependent on a tax return by a parent.  And he must say so on his own tax return.  When he answers the question in My Info that asks if e can be claimed as someone else's dependent he needs to say YES.  

You never enter your child's SSA1099 or his W-2, etc. on your own tax return.  

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2020 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They are related to you.

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or   Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children

  •      They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They lived with you the entire year.

• They made less than $4300  (not counting Social Security)

• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

Related Information:

• Does a dependent have to live with me?

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

• Can I claim a newborn baby?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

If you did not claim the child on your return you can amend and add him.  The parent (or someone) can claim  him no matter how much he makes if he is under 19 or under 24 and is a full time student.

How to Amend

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-...

[Simon888]

One more Question.

His investment make about $30,000, if he file as independent, he can get the stander deduction $12,400.  

My question is he have to be dependent to get the SSA, and can he file as independent on tax return because he can support himself?

[Critter-3]

The child's income is immaterial when they are under the age of 19 HOWEVER  what they do with the income comes into play for support ... if the child's income is used to pay for more than 1/2 of the child's support  then he is not a dependent.  BUT if the investments are allowed to continue earning and are not spent then it is not support.