What is the 8615 document

[DeanM15 · Accepted solution]

Form 8615, Tax for Certain Children Who Have Unearned Income, is for the so-called Kiddie Tax.

"Form 8615 must be filed for anyone who meets all of the following conditions.

1. You had more than $2,200 of unearned income.
2.  You are required to file a tax return.
3.  You were either: a. Underage 18 at the end of 2019, b. Age 18 at the end of 2019 and didn’t have earned income that was more than half of your support, or c. A full-time student at least age 19 and under age 24 at the end of 2019 and didn’t have earned income that was more than half of your support. (Earned income is defined later. Support is defined below.)
4.  At least one of your parents was alive at the end of 2019.
5.  You don’t file a joint return for 2019.

These rules apply if you’re legally adopted or a stepchild. These rules also apply whether or not you’re a dependent. These rules don’t apply if neither of your parents were living at the end of the year."

Find more info here.

[offermana]

Is this still true for 2021 taxes? If so, can you define earned income? As well as, can you explain why a child who is NOT a dependent must use their parent's tax information?

[MayaD]

Yes, this is true for 2021 and these rules apply whether or not you are a dependent.

2021 Instructions for Form 8615

Please refer to the link below for Earned Income definition:

What is earned income?