I am 16, and I work as a cafeteria worker at my school. My teacher recently informed me that I am qualified to file for taxes. But when I asked my mom about it she immediately told me not to file anyt

[xmasbaby0]

CAN I FILE A RETURN IF I AM A DEPENDENT?

If you can be claimed as a dependent on your parents’ return, you can still file your own return so that you can receive a refund of taxes withheld.  (You will not get back anything for Social Security or Medicare withheld.) Be sure that on your own return you say that you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.

Before you just go ahead and file a return, have a calm discussion with Mom and find out why she says not to file.  Perhaps Mom is confused and thinks it will affect her own refund.  Parents are often confused the first time their teenager has income from a job and do not understand how it works.  Mom's refund will not be affected in any way if you file your own tax return to seek a tax refund of federal or state tax that was withheld from your pay.  Just be sure you say you can be claimed as a dependent.