When does a kid need to start filling taxes?
 

Your kid is 16 y/o. Works a summer job, makes about $3,300 gross a year. Does she have to file taxes?

Now she's 18 y/o. Same summer job, makes about $4,500 gross. Does she have to file?

And now she's 20 y/o. Same summer job and part-time work during college, makes about $8,600 gross. File or not?

Yes. I always filed according to my dad's accountant back then.

I have been paying Uncle Sam nonstop since I was 16. I really should say that. I actually did not pay anything beside the few bucks they took out of my monthly checks.

Assuming that he/she has had taxes taken out, certainly, since they will get back those dollars. In truth though as long as you don't potentially OWE the IRS they aren't too picky about you not claiming a refund...

I maybe wrong however, if it's on the books as to say he received a W2 I think he is required to file.
That being said I doubt he will own any tax because the income is so low.
I will add if he can afford to stash some of that money in a Roth IRA do so.
Young people should start early and be consistent......pay them selves first.

Yes, yes, and yes.
If they receive W2 wages with federal withholding, they should file. Otherwise they're missing out on what most likely will be a federal refund.
The refund can be used as Dan said above, and painlessly, as a starter for an IRA.

I got my SS statement today. Apparently had a couple lean years (1988, 12yo) and filed taxes on $42 :)

Let them file on their own. It's a good resource that is not taught in the high schools anymore...

Just search under, "who needs to file" on the IRS and your state site. There is some minimum amount that is the cut-off for needing to file as a wage earner. :cool:

I think my social security records show my first income at age 6 or 7 IIRC.

Had a concert's road lighting crew get sick, I ran follow spot up in the catwalks for a few days. Made a small bundle. :)

It wasn't easy explaining why I didn't get all my money because of this thing called taxes.

Who ever paid her the $3,300, $4,500, and $8,600 should have reported it to the IRS, either on a 1099 or W2 withholding. If they didn't withhold taxes and gave her it a 1099 and the IRS hasn't come after her, she's slipped by their scrutiny somehow. If they withheld taxes and gave her a W2 and she didn't file, she gave the government a nice little gift. If they withheld taxes and didn't file either a 1099 or a W2 (a guy did that to me when I was doing summer work) the employer could be in deep doo doo.
First thing she needs to know is what did the employer tell the IRS.

One other thing to consider is that in a year or three parents income wont matter for financial aid. But hers will. And she'll need to show her tax returns to get it.

(pretty sure. ive never qualified but my wife did and had to show hers before we married)

There is a difference in should she file or is she required to file. The IRS has a quiz on their site to determine if you are required to file. Even though she made money does not mean she is required to file but she could get all her federal taxes back as a refund.

no , no, and yes

got info here, like all taxes it's convoluted and there's no easy answer.

Do I Need to File a Tax Return?-Federal Filing Requirements


looks like $6300 is the minimum for a dependent to file taxes if income is on a w2.

If it's self employment income, any income over $400 they're supposed to file. I would think there's no way they can enforce that though, strictly on the honor system.

I didn't file when I was 12 and mowing lawns for $5 a pop, but as soon as I got a regular job at 15 or 16 that was going to provide W2s, I started filing.

I never did file taxes when I was a kid mowing yards for cash. It was never anything much. When I was hired at a real job as a professional photographer at age 16, I started filing. The IRS used to send a statement to each person with a record of what you have paid over the years. Now you have to log onto the IRS web site to look up your SS taxes as recorded. One year for whatever reason the IRS missed a large chunk of my income. It took me three years and two visits to their local offices to get it straight.

I never filed until I got a real job, unless my parents did without me asking.

I filed my kids taxes for last year using Turbo Tax because the made significantly more and taxes were taken out.

Our daughter got $3-400 back. Our son had to pay $300 as not enough taxes were taken out.

Ok. I'll have her request duplicate W-2 forms for the prior years.

She is working more each year, in 2017 she'll probably make about $10K which goes a good way toward her college cost. So I guess it is time to file.

My son starts working this year, he'll make about $3800 over the summer at age 16 (it's not much, because they also get room and board at the camp). He may start working during the school year too, as a lifeguard for $9.25/hr. I figure it is good for them to start working in high school.