Does an 11 year old have to file taxes?

Question

My daughter just started a paper route and will be making about $400 a month.

Answer 1

Only if earns $5,000 or more for the year. (This assumes she has only "earned income" and no "unearned income." See the source below for full details.)

The rules are different for children and dependents, so don't pay any attention to the person who talked about the $200 threshold...that doesn't apply to her situation.

Answer 2

I agree with the previous posters in that filing is generally only required if someone has greater than $5,000 in earned income or $800 in unearned income. However, if the publisher treats your daughter as an independent contractor instead of as an employee, then your daughter is self-employed for tax purposes.

Anyone with self-employment income in excess of $400 per year is required to file an income tax return and pay the self-employment tax, which is the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare. My guess is that most children with paper routes do not do this, but it is a technical requirement.

Answer 3

Does she use roads the Government gave money to pave? Does she go to a public school the government allots money to? Do you have a SSN or Drivers License?

As long as you (and your daughter) use products, services and other items the U.S. Government budgeted to pave roads, fund schools and other Grants and Loans, you are a Government employee and subjected to U.S. Government taxes. (State Taxes are a different matter.)

Otherwise, it is illegal for the Government to tax our wages. Nice loophole, eh? Why do you think the U.S. Government mandates we have social security cards issued to babies not even out of diapers??

The U.S. Government is also taxing teenagers that babysit, mow lawns and other similar jobs; and make more than $1,000/year.

The reason... the U.S. has been bankrupted (which means you, your daughter and every U.S. Citizen) since the late 1930's because FDR sold our gold to the Federal Reserve (a foreign company) to pay a debt we didn't owe.

And, when Nixon took us off the Gold Standard, that put us deeper into bankruptcy and debt. A debt that will never be paid in our lifetime, our children's lifetime for many generation to come.

Answer 4

If you are planning to file a tax return for your child who was under age 14 at the end of 2005and certain other conditions apply, you can elect to include yourchild’s income on your return. But you must use Form 1040 and Form 8814 to do so. If you make this election, your child does not have to file a return. For details, use TeleTax topic 553 (see page 6) or see Form 8814.

If your parent (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent, you should use this chart to see if you must file a return:

You must file a return if any of the following apply.
• Your unearned income was over $800.
• Your earned income was over $5,000.
• Your gross income was more than the larger of—
• $800, or
• Your earned income (up to $4,750) plus $250.

**-Form 8814 is for Interest/Dividend Income

Also check your state's guidelines for working dependents.

Answer 5

If she makes more than $4850 a year (earned income) or $800 a year (unearned income) she will have to. Sounds like it will be very close. If the paper takes taxes out she will be better off filing anyways because she will get the money back.

Answer 6

LASSER'S said "Af tax return must be filed for a dependent child who had more than $800 of investment income and no earned income. If you child had only earned income and no investment income, a tax return must be filed if the earned income exceeded $5,000.

Answer 7

Yes.

If you earn more than $200 a year you have to file taxes.

Answer 8

check with the person that does your taxes I think you do not have file if you make less then a certain amount. if she files her own taxes then you can NOT claim her as a dependent again check with you tax preparer.

Answer 9

Yes.

Top 4 Answerer in Business & Finance. (Vote for me, I only need 100 more votes)

Answer 10

Hopefully no. Whatever file taxes are, lol.