File taxes when making a small amount of money at one job?

Question

This year I've had two jobs. One was at a Gap retail store while I was at school. I only worked there 2 months and I made probably less than $600 after they took out taxes. At my summer job I'm going to make probably somewhere around $2000 over the entire summer. My parents file my taxes and don't know I had a job during school. If they file taxes on just the $2000 I've made at the summer job, is this a problem? Do I have to file on the $600 since it was such a small amount?

Answer 1

Since you made under $5,450 you will not owe any taxes.  You are not required to file a tax return.  If you had withholdings, you have to file a tax return to get them back.  If the Gap income is not reported on the tax return, you probably will get a letter from the IRS stating that those wages were not reported.  Since you will not owe any taxes, it is not a big deal - but be aware that the IRS will probably send you communications about the missing income.

If you really want to keep the income hidden, you could get a copy of your tax return and file an amended return.  But if you get a refund check, it will be mailed to your address of record - which may be your parents house.

The best deal is to come clean with your parents.  Or you could tell them - "I'm a big girl now, I want to file my own tax return."

Answer 2

Yes it's a problem, since the IRS matches up the W-2's with the returns filed, and sends out letters if you omit something.  With your total income, if both jobs have social security and medicare taken out, you won't be required to file and the only reason for you to file is to get any income tax withholding refunded to you.