Taxes for Teenagers: Do You Need to File a Tax Return?

At what age can you start filing a tax return in the United States?

• 15

• 16

• 18

• There is no minimum age

True or False: A teenager can file a tax return even if they did not earn any income during the year.

• True

• False

If a teenager earns money from freelance work, how is this income classified for tax purposes?

• W-2 income

• Self-employment income

• Interest income

• Passive income

Which of the following scenarios means a teenager does **not** need to file a tax return?

• They earned $1,500 from a part-time job.

• They received $3,000 from a summer internship.

• They earned $12,000 in a full-time job.

• They earned $5,000 from babysitting and have no other income.

Why might a teenager choose to file a tax return even if they are not required to?

• To claim a refund on withheld taxes

• To avoid legal penalties

• To establish a credit score

• To receive government benefits

True or False: If a teenager's only income comes from a part-time job, they do not need to file a tax return if they earn less than $1,200.

• True

• False

True or False: Filing a tax return can help teenagers establish a credit history, which is important for future loans and credit cards.

• True

• False

True or False: Teenagers must file a tax return if they have any amount of income, regardless of how much they earned.

• True

• False

Which of the following is the standard deduction for a single filer in 2023?

• $5,000

• $12,950

• $20,000

• $25,000

True or False: If a teenager is claimed as a dependent on their parents' tax return, their standard deduction is lower.

• True

• False