Does my teenage daughter need to file a tax return?

This is pretty straightforward. A dependent who doesn’t have unearned income only has to file a separate tax return if earned income is above—$6,350 for 2017. So if your daughter earned less than that, she wouldn’t have to file. If her employer withheld federal income tax, she might be entitled to a refund.

Can I still claim my child if she has a job?

Yes, you can claim your dependent child on your return if you answer all to the following: Your child may have a job and earn income, but that job cannot provide for more than 1/2 of their support. You need to be providing for more than 1/2 of their support even while they are working.

When do I need to file a tax return for my daughter?

In this case, you need to file a separate return if: Unearned income is more than $1,050. Earned income is more than $6,350. Combined income totals more than the larger of $1,050 or earned income (up to $6,000) plus $350. To make this a little clearer, let’s say your daughter had $100 in interest income plus $6,000 in earned income.

What should I do if my daughter got a W-2?

If your daughter got a W-2 for 2016 and had federal income tax withheld, she should file a federal income tax return to get money back (refund). TurboTax Online has a Free version you may be able to use. If she chooses to complete an income tax return, it is important that that she choose the following options:

What’s the easiest way to file a tax return for a child?

The simplest way to file is to use the one-page IRS Form 1040EZ, which can be found on the IRS website. The child must sign the form, attach a copy of any Form W-2 provided by the employer and the IRS will process the refund.

Can a third party designee give a child a tax refund?

This designation doesn’t allow parents to receive their child’s refund or agree to any further tax liability; it’s just a safe way for parents to remain involved while still respecting the child’s freedom to file on their own. If your child didn’t name you as a third-party designee on the return, you can still get the IRS to communicate with you.