teenager with a job

[nirajshah]

My teenager gets a w2; Do I just add that to the income of my wife and i since we file jointly or does he have to do a separate return.  We claim him as a dependent

[Vanessa A]

No.  You cannot add his W-2 to your return.  Depending on how much he made and if he had taxes withheld, you would need to either file his own return or if his income is low enough and he did not have taxes withheld, you would not file a return at all to report his income. 

If his income is less than $13,850, and he did not have taxes withheld, he does not need to file.

If his wages were less than $13,850 and he DID have taxes withheld, then you would want to complete a return for him to claim a refund of the taxes he paid.

If his wages are more than $13,850, he will need to file a return to report his income as this is over the filing threshold.

Tax filing Requirements for Children