do i have to file my own taxes?

Question

i'm 16, will be 17 on the 25th and i wanted to know if i have to file my own taxes. I only worked for about 2-3 months, i'm not sure if i can still be filed as a dependent on my moms taxes and can she file my earnings? i live in texas also if that matters. thanks much!

Answer 1

Your mom can't file your earnings, but she can claim you as a dependent. If you made over $5350, you are required to file. If you made less but had anything withheld for federal income taxes, you can file and get that refunded to you. If you made over $5350, you are required to file and will probably owe some tax.

Answer 2

Assuming you are required to file a tax return, you will have to file your own tax return. However, your parents will still claim you as a dependent if you meet the definition of a qualifying child. There are four criteria for: 1) Relationship — the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). 2) Residence — for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. 3) Age — the person must be * under age 19 at the end of the year, or * under age 24 and a be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or * any age and totally and permanently disabled. 4) Support — the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. If this is the case, be sure to check the box that says you can be claimed as a dependent on someone's tax return.

Answer 3

For 2005 if you are a dependent and had no non-wage income (such as interest or self-employment income), then you can earn up to $5350 in wages before you owe taxes. If you made less and no federal tax was withheld, you do not need to file. If you made less and had federal income taxes withheld, you would file to get them refunded.

If you had other income, the answer will vary. Eg, $2000 in wages and $500 in interest would be enough to require you to file because you would owe $20 in tax.

Answer 4

You don't have to file if you don't earn above a certain dollar amount. If you have to file, you'll get the forms in the mail. You would have to do your own taxes. Of course, your mom would claim you as a dependent because you're under 18 and didn't earn enough to support yourself.

Answer 5

File your taxes but do not claim any exemptions, your mother will claim you. The reason why you are filing is to get your tax withholdings return. There are no state taxes for Texas.

Answer 6

First it depends on how much you made. If you made over 8,700 in those two months you have to file. My guess is, you didn't. Your mom, if you are still living with her, will most likely claim you as a dependant, as she should. If you made less than 8,700 but had income tax withheld, file a return anyway and get a refund for what you paid in. Living in TX has no impact on this issue.
Hope this helps.

Answer 7

nahh, get your parents to do it.

Of course all this will be moot when the FairTax Act H.R. 25 passes and replaces all income taxes with a single sales tax on new items. The FairTax now has the support of hundreds of thousands, 72 congressional sponsors / co-sponsors, and 7 presidential candidates. See www.fairtax.org
Fundamentals and facts http://www.fairtax.org/PDF/FairTax-Funda...
Frequently Asked Questions about the FairTax http://www.fairtax.org/fairtax/faqs.htm

Answer 8

It depends on how much you earned while working. Chances are you did not make enough to file but you need to know for sure. I assume your mother provided nearly all of you housing etc so she can still claim you. The forms are pretty self explanatory. Go to the IRS web site for more info.

Answer 9

If you are in school, you do not need to file your own taxes.

Answer 10

You must file your own taxes if you have had income from an employer,or in business for yourself.