Do 16 Year Olds Have To File Income Tax?

Question

If you work full time in the summer, and after school and on weekends during the school year, do you have to personally file income tax, or does the job that hires you automatically deduct all that from your salary? Also, with income tax in general, after the job takes out federal tax and social security, etc... do you then pay income tax on your total profit, or what you made in total?

Answer 1

YES! If you earn income then you must file taxes.  You employer is most likely withholding (unless you're not 'on the books) based on the form W4 you filled out.

If you worked all this time and did not have money withheld, you're in for a big surprise - as you could owe a lot at once.  Being 16 and having these smaller jobs, you probably don't make enough to have to pay, but you still must file.

Answer 2

no only when you turn 17

Answer 3

The job deducts an approximate amount.  You have to calculate the exact amount of your tax, file a return, and pay the difference or receive a refund.

Income tax is based on the total amount minus retirement plan contributions, health insurance contributions, etc.  If you itemize (which is unlikely for children), then state income tax is also subtracted.  Federal tax and social security are not subtracted.

Answer 4

of course they do as long as hey have a income they need to file their tax.

Answer 5

If the income you have for the year is around 8750 for single yes you have to file if your parents are going to claim you on there tax return as a depedent  and you made more then 3400 your standard deduction they have to report your earning on there tax return to.

Answer 6

Yes you have to file taxes. As long as you work, your employer will deduct taxes from your paycheck, but you still have to file them at then beginning of the year. Its ok for your parents to file you as a dependent, but your money has to be accounted for as well.

Also, the social security administration keeps up with all of your social security benefits based on your income tax. So its important that you file.

Answer 7

If you work (On the books) you file taxes. Age is not a factor. Thing is you should not be working legally before the age of 15. (I filed taxes when i was 16, Thats New York though, i'm not really sure about other states)

Answer 8

no i dont think you do

Answer 9

You always file but you will probably not have to pay.  Your employer takes out a percentage of money from your check to pay your yearly taxes.  While filing your form you will find out how much you owe less the amount you have already paid.  You may and probably will get a refund.

Answer 10

If you make over $5450 gross for 2008, yes you have to file.  If they took out more than you owe, then you'll get the extra refunded - if they didn't take out enough, you'll have to pay the rest.  If you put single/0 allowances on your W-4 you will most likely not owe and might get a refund.

Your tax is figured on your total pretax income.

Answer 11

Your age has nothing to do with the requirement to file a tax return.  If you earn more than the filing requirement amount for your filing status then you must file.  For a 16 year old who is being claimed as a dependent, the filing requirement amount for wages from a job subject to withholding is $5,450 in 2008.  You must also file if you have unearned income greater that $850 or self-employment income greater than $400 or if you have unearned income of more than $300 and earned income of $5,150 or more.

If you have a regular job, they will withhold taxes from your pay.  You must file if your income exceeds the amounts above.  You must also file if your income is less but you want the taxes withheld from your pay refunded to you.

Answer 12

Your employer takes out those taxes for the state and the federal government.  More then likely when you do file for your tax return you will get money back unless you filed full exempt.  If you owe, then you definately have to file. If you don't, you should still file and get money back.