tax question for CSS profile

Paying for College
1

<p>Do all full-time college students have to fill out a tax form (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)?
My daughter earns very little money at her work study job on campus?
Does she have to fill out a separate tax form (we file 1040 for the family).</p>

<p>I ask because I've started doing this year's CSS profile, and it seems like you have to pick one, even if they are not filing.</p>

<p>Also is there a minimal amount of income required for filing?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>My kids file because they want their hundred bucks or so that was withheld back. But i do believe their is a minimum threshold for required filing. I usually pick No for the question because the earnings in late high school and through college have never required filing.</p>

3

<p>There are some people who are savvy with the tax situation on the board, and they can answer more specifically. You do have to read up on the rules as to whether your dependent has to file or not It depends on how much s/he made that year. Also if there are withholdings they would have to file to get the money back. But they would still be dependents on your return even if they file under most situations.</p>

4

<p>This is from IRS Pub 501 for 2011, 2012 doesn’t seem to be available yet. This is who must file for single people who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. The $5800 number will probably $5850 for 2012.</p>

<p>Single dependents— Were you either age 65 or older or blind?
No. You must file a return if any of the following apply.

  1. Your unearned income was more than $950.
  2. Your earned income was more than $5,800.
  3. Your gross income was more than the larger of —
    a. $950, or
    b. Your earned income (up to $5,500) plus $300.</p>

<p>That is from table 2 here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf[/url]”>http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If a student does have to file, they do have to file their own return.</p>

<p>If your student has scholarships and/or grants that are greater than the sum of tuition+mandatory fees+required books and supplies, then that excess is also taxable earned income.</p>

<p>You should also check on your state tax requirements if your state has an income tax.</p>

5

<p>Good heavens, I apologize for the typos in my post. I can’t understand why my computer decides to think and type for me sometimes. Too late to edit so apologies…</p>

6

<p>She got like $2000 (for the entire year) in work/study… Less than $1000 was earned last year… So I am assuming she does not have to file…</p>

<p>Thank you everyone… I love this board!</p>