When a 17-year-old must file a tax return
Your 17-year-old needs to file a tax return if they earned income above a certain threshold in the past year. The threshold depends on whether the income came from a job, self-employment, or unearned sources like interest or dividends. For 2024, a dependent teenager with only wage income from a job needs to file if they earned more than $14,600. If they had self-employment income, the threshold is $400 or more.
The IRS requires filing even if no tax is owed, because your teenager may be may have access to to a refund of taxes already withheld from paychecks. Many teenagers have taxes taken out but owe nothing at the end of the year, making a return the only way to get that money back.
Income thresholds change each year, so check the current year's rules before deciding. The IRS website lists the exact amounts for the tax year your teenager is filing for.
Key Takeaways
- A 17-year-old who earned more than $14,600 from a job in 2024 must file a federal tax return, even if they think they owe nothing.
- Self-employment income has a lower threshold of $400, so a teenager with a side business or gig work should file if they crossed that mark.
- Filing can result in a refund if your teenager's employer withheld taxes from their paychecks but they owed no tax for the year.
- Income thresholds change yearly, so verify the current year's limits before deciding whether filing is required.
- Unearned income like interest, dividends, or capital gains has its own thresholds and may trigger a filing requirement even with no wage income.
How to determine your teenager's total income
Add up all income your 17-year-old received during the tax year. This includes wages from a job (shown on a W-2 form), tips, self-employment income from a side business or gig work, interest from a savings account, dividends from investments, and any other money earned. Do not count gifts, allowance, or money borrowed.
Your teenager should receive a W-2 from each employer by January 31. If they are self-employed, they need to track all income and expenses themselves. Interest and dividends appear on statements from banks and investment accounts.
Once you have the total, compare it to the filing threshold for your teenager's situation. If the total is below the threshold, filing is not required — though it may still be worth doing if taxes were withheld.
When filing makes sense even if not required
Your teenager should file a return even if they are below the income threshold if their employer withheld federal income tax from their paychecks. This is common for teenagers working part-time or seasonal jobs. The W-2 will show how much was withheld in Box 2. If that amount is greater than zero and your teenager owed no tax, filing returns that money.
Filing also matters if your teenager had self-employment income and paid self-employment tax. They may be able to claim the earned income tax credit, which reduces the tax owed or increases a refund. This credit is designed for people with low to moderate income and can be worth hundreds of dollars.
If your teenager is claimed as a dependent on your tax return, they cannot claim themselves. However, they can still file their own return to recover withheld taxes or claim credits they are may have access to to.
What documents you will need
Gather a W-2 from each employer your teenager worked for during the year. The employer must send this by January 31. If your teenager is self-employed, collect receipts and records of all income and business expenses.
If your teenager received interest or dividends, the bank or investment company will send a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV form. Keep these documents until the return is filed.
Your teenager will also need their Social Security number and date of birth. If filing electronically, you may need a personal identification number (PIN) from the IRS, though this is not always required for first-time filers.
How to file your teenager's return
You can file by paper using Form 1040 and any required schedules, available free from the IRS website. Print, fill out by hand, and mail to the address shown in the instructions.
Many teenagers use free tax software. The IRS Free File program offers free software to people earning below a certain income threshold — most teenagers may have access to. You can also use commercial software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, many of which offer free versions for straightforward returns.
If your teenager's situation is straightforward — one job, no self-employment, no investments — software is usually faster and more accurate than filing by hand. If the return is more complex, consider having a tax professional prepare it.
File as soon as you have all documents. The important date is April 15 of the following year, but filing earlier means any refund arrives sooner.
Special situations: students and dependents
If your teenager is claimed as a dependent on your tax return, they still file their own return if their income exceeds the threshold. Being a dependent does not change the filing requirement — it only means they cannot claim a personal exemption on their own return.
A teenager who is a full-time student may have different rules for certain types of income, but the basic wage income threshold remains the same. Check the IRS rules for your teenager's specific situation if they have unearned income like scholarships or investment gains.
If your teenager worked in more than one state or earned income from a state that requires its own return, they may need to file state taxes as well. Rules vary by state, so check your state's tax agency website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my 17-year-old earned less than $14,600 but had taxes withheld?
Filing is not required, but your teenager should file anyway to get a refund of the withheld taxes. Since they owed no tax, all the money taken out can be returned to them. This is one of the most common reasons teenagers file.
Do I need to file for my teenager or can they file themselves?
A 17-year-old can file their own return if they have the documents and understand the process. Many teenagers file with a parent's help using free software. If the return is complex, a tax professional can prepare it for both of you.
What counts as self-employment income for a teenager?
Self-employment income includes money from a side business, freelance work, gig economy jobs like delivery or rideshare, babysitting, lawn care, or any other work where your teenager is not a traditional employee. If they received a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC, that is self-employment income.
Can my teenager claim themselves as a dependent instead of me?
No. If your teenager lives with you and you support them, you claim them as a dependent. Your teenager cannot claim themselves. However, they can still file their own return to recover withheld taxes or claim credits.
What if my teenager did not receive a W-2 from their employer?
Contact the employer and ask for the W-2. Employers are required to send them by January 31. If the employer does not respond, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or file your teenager's return using the income information you have and note that the W-2 is missing.