who has to file?

[Pheidippides]

My disabled adult daughter has been filing taxes for many years but she is now on disability and only earns minimum wage, working only 10 -25 hours a week.  I do all her financial handling for her due to her disability.  Her income last year was $4,873.  Does she even have to file a return at all?  If she doesn't, do I have to file anything letting IRS know why she's not filing?  

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

If your daughter is receiving Social Security disability and only about $4800 of other income she probably will not need to file a tax return at all.

You need to file a federal return if half your Social Security plus your other income is $25,000 when filing single or head of household, or $32,000 when filing married filing jointly, $0 if you are filing married filing separately.

And, no you do not have to file anything to tell the IRS that she will not be filing a tax return.

Who has to file?

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F

[Corrlich44 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

And as a side note, if your daughters overall taxable income is in under the Standard Deduction, the only reason you would be filing is to recover any Federal or State income taxes that may have been withheld on any earned income or worst case, disability benefits, in not knowing how you have been managing the financial aspect of her financial needs.

[Pheidippides]

Thank you!  You made it so simple!