Once a child completes a return, do they need to complete one every year?

[tidimakr]

On advice from my brother-in-law, I had my kids complete their own tax returns last year. According to the Turbo Tax guidelines regarding Child's Income, my daughter wouldn't need to complete a return this year (income too low). Does her completing a 2018 return mean she needs to complete one for 2019?

[VolvoGirl]

No.  Each year is separate.  You don't need to file if you do not have a filing requirement.

Do I need to file a return?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/filing-and-paying-taxes/help/do-i-need-to-file-a-federal-return-th...

IRS Pub 501 Filing Information. See page 3 for who has to file and filing requirments for Self Employed persons and Dependents
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

MY DEPENDENT HAD A JOB

If your dependent has a W-2 for his after-school job, summer job, etc. you do not include the information on your own return. You can still claim your child as a dependent on your own return.  He/she can file his own return for a refund of some of his withheld wages (he won’t get back anything for Social Security or Medicare), but MUST indicate on it that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.  (Supervise this closely or prepare it for him!)

If your dependent’s earnings were over $400 and were reported on a 1099Misc then he must file a return and pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare.  You may want to use this version of TT for that:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program