Do we have to file a tax return?

[Jodi1980]

on my teenage daughter? She made about $200 last year, paying about $20 in taxes. Do we have to submit a form?

 

[jfulcer]

As far as I know, no. There's a certain minimum you need to make. I would check with your tax forms to be sure...

 

[PamOKW]

This came off the IRS web site.


2.1 Filing Requirements/Status/Dependents/Exemptions: Filing Requirements
I am a student attending college and working part-time. Do I have to file a tax return?

If you are an individual who may be claimed as a dependent on another person's return and you are single and under age 65, you must file a return if any of the following circumstances apply: first, your unearned income was more than $750. Unearned income includes taxable interest, dividends, capital gains, and trust distributions of interest, dividends, capital gains, and survivor annuities. If you had an investment loss, your unearned income could be a negative amount. Second, your earned income was more than $4,700. Earned income includes wages, tips, taxable scholarship and fellowship grants, and salaries. Third, your total income was more than the larger of $750 or your earned income (up to $4,450) plus $250. If you file Form 1040EZ (PDF), Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents, your total income is the same as your adjusted gross income. If you are 65 or older, or married, refer to the instructions in your tax package or Publication 929 (PDF), Tax Rules for Children and Dependents, or Publication 501 (PDF), Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.



I just wonder if she could get back the $20 in taxes by filing?

 

[caitycaity]

if the employer sent in a w-9 or whatever the form they send in is, yes, she should file.

 

[Beauty]

Yes I filed when I was a teenager and made just about that much. If I remember correctly I think I got back like $12 dollars...LOL! But yes if she got a W-2 I do think she should file.

 

[caitycaity]

oh yeah, it's a w-2! thanks beauty. LOL

 

[disneychrista]

Does the IRS care if she files, not really. But according to my tax / accounting teacher, any year you have income, regardless of how small, you should file. He even felt even if you had ZERO income in a year you should file. His reason is that if you dont file there is no limit on the length of time that the IRS can audit you. If you file they only have I believe 7 years to audit you.

So I would file or have her file. At the very least, if that $20 was in Federal taxes, she will get that back. What teenager couldn't use an extra $20?

 

[crusader]

I agree. If she had $20 withheld in federal taxes, she really should file and get that money back. She earned it.