Should I file a "low income" for a dependent anyway, even if not required by law?

[ALVN2020]

My son (10 years old) is my dependent (I file jointly with my wife). In 2019 he got a job as “extra actor” for a TV commercial (WA State), one job done. He earned 963.40 dollars in total for 2020 (Box 1, W2 form). All paperwork crystal clear, we signed the contract that day, W4 form, authorization for minor working, I've got the W2 from the company with his wages, some tax value withheld ($59.73, box 4), Medicare ($13.97, box 6) and that is it. I actually prepared his return already using that W2, very easy (I must file paper due to his age and first time filing). That was his only income (earned), my son has no unearned income.

The sources I checked, for that amount, indicated that I do not have to file taxes for him in 2020 (correct me if I am wrong).

Should I file a low income anyway for a dependent, even if not required by law? Any advantage?

Thanks

[VolvoGirl]

Was it a 2019 W2 or 2020?  We are only filing 2019 returns.  No he does not need to file a return.  He made less than 12,200 gross wages in box 1.  So he only needs to file to get back any withholding taken out in box 2 or 17 ( which there was none).

[ALVN2020]

Sorry for the confusing text: it is 2019 W2, to file now in 2020.

I was wondering if it would be advantageous somehow to file it, even if there is no refund expected (box 2 is empty).

Thank you

[xmasbaby0]

If your son had no federal or state tax withheld he has no filing requirement nor is there any advantage to filing a tax return for him.  If you were hoping he could receive a stimulus check, he cannot.  Dependents do not receive stimulus checks.

[ALVN2020]

Agreed, thank you.