I have 2 children who are my dependents but also had jobs in 2021. Do I have to file their wages?

[Cats-Rabbits]

You would not file their wages on your return. They would file their own returns with their own wages and declare that they are your dependents. (I am a dependent of someone else). They would want to do that especially if they had any federal or state income tax withheld.

[ErnieS0]

No. Each child reports their own W-2 income. They may not have to file a federal tax return if they made too little, as awesome Community member @Cats Rabbits said.

However, your children may want to file to get a refund if they had tax withheld.

Many states have lower filing levels than the federal government. In some cases you may not have to file federal but have to file state.

TurboTax federal and state are linked. You can’t file state without preparing federal, even if you don’t have to file it.

You can start a state for free. If TurboTax is showing no state tax due or refund, you can delete state and not pay anything. If your children owe or getting a refund, they can file.

Each child will need their own TurboTax account. If they don’t file, there’s no charge.

[trossmanmd]

I agree with CATS above and I would be check carefully at the "who has to file" language.  Your dependent kids might be treated differently depending on how much they earn .... wages and investment income.  My dependent (but working) kids have to file their own return and their wages are taxed at my marginal rates using the very complicated Form 8615.  Its a huge pain!  I am also interested in others' experience with this .... dt

[jfullett]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[jfullett]

Thank you very much.

[jfullett]

Thank you as well, appreciate it!

[ColeenD3]

Single dependents— . You must file a return if any of the following apply.

1. Your unearned income was more than $1,100. 

2. Your earned income was more than $12,550. 

3. Your gross income was more than the larger of— a. $1,100, or b. Your earned income (up to $12,200) plus $350.