Youth W2

[JeffColagross]

My 15 year old son received a W2 for his part time job and I'm not sure what to do with it. I didn't include it in our filing nor did I file for him yet. Do I need to? It was for only like $4k in 2023.

[xmasbaby0]

MY DEPENDENT HAD A JOB

If your dependent has a W-2 for his after-school job, summer job, etc. you do not include the information on your own return. You can still claim your child as a dependent on your own return.  He/she can file his own return for a refund of some of his withheld wages (he won’t get back anything for Social Security or Medicare), but MUST indicate on it that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.  (Supervise this closely or prepare it for him!)

If your dependent’s earnings were over $400 and were reported on a 1099Misc or 1099NEC then he must file a return and pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare.

You might also want to use free software from the IRS Free File versions:

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

[DawnC]

He doesn't have to file it, but if there is an amount in box 2, he should file it to get those withholdings back.   If you do file it, make sure he marks the box that says 'someone else will claim me' so there are no issues with your return.