Please HELP!!!

[needaanswer]

I have 2 Grandchildren and I need to know how do I handle unearned income they receive from their deceased Mother.  They each receive  $5,341.00 ($2040.00 state retirement pension and $3,240.00 SSA).  I am getting conflicting advice....yes you have to file a tax form for each, no you don't have to file a form on them or  you can file their unearned income on their Dads tax form.  Please can some advise me how I need to report their income.

[BrittanyS]

Yes, they will need to file a tax return.  According to the IRS, "You must file a return if any of the following apply:

1. Your unearned income was more than $1,150.
2. Your earned income was more than $12,950.

TurboTax can help you file the return for them.  You will create an account and for each grandchild.  

For more information, see the link below:

Filing Requirements

[needaanswer]

Thank You so much....

[needaanswer]

Do I report their SSA benefits...are these taxable?

[MinhT1]

Yes. 

You should report SSA benefits. Depending on their total income, social security benefits may be partially taxable. In your case, they would not be taxable. But you should report them.

Please read this TurboTax blog on the taxation of Social Security benefits.

You can enter your form SSA-1099 by following these steps:

1. In TurboTax, open your tax return
2. Click on Federal in the left-hand column, then on Wages & Income
3. Continue and locate the section Retirement Plans and Social Security and click on Show more
4. Click Start next to Social Security (SSA-1099, RRB-1099)​​​​​​​.

[needaanswer]

I am down to the wire on this....please do I include their SS income since it is not taxable to determine their MAGI.  This is all so confusing.  Thanks so much for everyone's help...I am learning as I go.

[KrisD15 · Accepted solution]

Taxes are due April 18th, 2023. 

Yes, add back the (non-taxable) social security to determine MAGI. 

More on MAGI