wage earning child - claim as dependent?

Question

I have a 17 yr old son who earned $1200 at a PT job in 2006. I know that I can claim him on my return as he is a FT student living with me.

Question - if I do claim him do I have to add his income to my return?

Question 2 - If he files his own return can I still claim him on mine?

Please advise.

Answer 1

You can claim him as a dependent. He can file a return as having been claimed as a dependent on another return. He is not required to, but may want to do so to recover any withholding that he had withheld.

Answer 2

If he can be claimed as a dependent, which it sound like that is the case, he would not be required to file his own separate return. Using IRS publication 501, it does appear that his income is not large enough to require filing (the link is below), unless he had some unearned income that you didn't mention.

You can claim an exemption for a dependent even if that dependent files a return (as long as he's not married and filing jointly). But if you claim a dependency exemption, he can't claim a personal exemption if he files.

To be honest with you, I'm not sure whether you claim his income on your return if he doesn't file. Perhaps someone else can assist.

Answer 3

Question 1, no you do not add his income to your return.

Question 2, You can still claim him on your return and he can not then claim himself. You can give up your claim and allow him to claim himself, but if he is living with you I would keep the deduction because you will get the better benefit and you are probably paying out more in support than his 1200 income.

Answer 4

You can claim him as a dependent and he can't claim an exemption even if you don't. His income does not belong on your return. His income is low enough that he is not required to file. If he had any income tax withheld, he should file to claim a refund.

I wish everyone would read the instructions for the 1040 before posting questions here. Its amazing how many of these questions they answer.

Answer 5

You can claim him if he meets all the requirements, and it sounds like he does. Whether he files or not doesn't matter. You do NOT list his income on your return. Since he made under $5150, he is not required to file if all his income was from a job and not investment income. He might want to file though, if anything was withheld for federal income tax - he'd get it all refunded to him if he files. He could file on a 1040EZ, and needs to check the box that says he is a dependent.

Answer 6

No you don't have to add his income to yours and you can still claim him if he files his own as long as he files as a dependent on someone elses return.

Answer 7

1) No, he can add his income in his own return but you can still claim him as a dependent ony if what he makes is 50% less than what it takes to support him for a whole year (not likely)

2) Yes, however he can not claim any dependents himself.

Good luck.

Answer 8

You claim him

He claims 0

I think after age 18 you can't claim him.

If he has student loan interest, that can be deducted from his but I think he'll get a full refund anyway with a $1200 annual wage.

And no don't put his money on your return. You still buy the Tide and milk right?

Answer 9

even as the guy is waiting and bypass lower back to artwork and earn wages this human being will document a tax go back. If the pupil became filing a tax go back, he/she must be able to declare a baby as a depending. incapacity and new child help are non taxable kinds of income so no tax go back desires to be filed. Hopes this help you.

Answer 10

1 no 2 yes