Will Your Child Have to File a Tax Return?

Your child may have to file a 2015 income tax return depending on several factors, including the total amount of income he or she received. For instance, if wages are the only source of income, your child can generally earn up to $6,300 during 2015 before a federal tax return is necessary. However, unless your child can claim an exemption from withholding, a return may be required even when wages earned are lower than the filing requirement. That’s because filing is the only way to claim a refund of overpaid taxes. In addition, self-employment income, tips, and interest, dividends, and stock sales can affect the filing requirement.