Tax return

[Am177]

i don’t have to file a tax return since I made less than $12,550 and my mom is going to put me as a dependent on her tax return and I accidentally have the wrong address on my w2…will that create a problem or should I not worry about it? If it is a problem, how do I fix it?

[xmasbaby0]

Look at your W-2.   Is there anything in box 2 or box 17?   Those boxes show tax withheld.   If you file a tax return you can get a refund of some (or maybe all) of that.   When you file your own tax return you need to say in My Info that you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.   Your mom can still claim you as her dependent even if you file your own tax return.  And, not the address the employer put on your W-2 will not create a problem.   The most important thing is for your Social Security number to be correct.   Your W-2 does NOT go on your mom's tax return.

[Am177]

@xmasbaby0  So my mom and I decided that I’m not going to file a tax return since I made less than 12k so is there anything I need to do about my w2 then if I’m not going to file a tax return?

[xmasbaby0]

Yes----you should save it for your own records.   We get all kinds of questions from people who find out they need a copy of a W-2 and they want to know how to find one.   You save it for yourself.   If you had any tax withheld for federal or state, it does not make sense not to file a tax return.   You have three years to file and get a refund.   But this is the only year you can file for free using the Free Edition.

[Am177]

@xmasbaby0 Ok last question, when my mom files her tax return and has me as her dependent will anything from the IRS go to my old address, (because the address on my w2 has my old address.) Or will stuff from the IRS go to her address? 

[xmasbaby0]

When your mother files her tax return, the IRS will use the address she enters on her own tax return to mail her anything like a check or a letter.   Not sure why you are worried about the address on your W-2.   Your W-2 is not going on your mother's tax return.    Your address is not going on your mother's tax return.    Your mother will only be putting your name and Social Security number on her tax return when she claims you as a dependent.  The address on your own W-2 does not affect anything.

[Am177]

@xmasbaby0  Thank you for your help and sorry for the constant questions 

[xmasbaby0]

@Am177 You are welcome and ask as many questions here as you need to!

[SweetieJean]

Your state tax return filing requirements may be lower.

[Am177]

@xmasbaby0 @To let you know why I was worried is because I thought the IRS would send me something to my old address but I guess that wouldn’t be the case if I’m going to be claimed as a dependent and not file a return correct?

[xmasbaby0]

@Am177 People move all the time---that is no surprise to the IRS.   Your old address on your W-2 would not matter if you file a tax return because the IRS would use the address you actually enter on your tax return---your Form 1040-- to send anything to you.    And again----do you have any tax withheld shown in box 2?   If so, you should file a tax return to get a federal refund.   If you have anything in box 17 you can file a state tax return to get a state tax refund.   The address they will pay attention to the address you put on your tax forms.

[Am177]

@xmasbaby0  But in my situation where I’m not going to file a tax return and I’m going to be claimed as a dependent on my mom’s tax return do I need to worry about the IRS sending anything to my old address?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

No, you do not need to worry that the IRS is going to send anything to your old address.   If you are not filing a tax return the IRS has no reason to send you anything.  Is there some sort of story here----why you are so worried about the old address?

[Am177]

@xmasbaby0 I’m very sorry about all this. It’s because my mom told me to call my employer and have them change the address but I forgot to do that and I was worried when my mom files, something would have been sent to my old address but thank you very much for clearing all that up

[xmasbaby0]

@Am177 Oh----so you are worried mom will find out you did not call the employer?   Mom does not need to worry about it and neither do you.    And the address is no reason at all for you to decide you should not file a tax return if you can get a refund.    The address on your W-2 is not going to affect your mother's tax return in any way.     (I am guessing this was your first job and first W-2.    Parents are often confused the first time this comes up and so are the young earners who have a first W-2)