Dependent child files Federal but not State

[giogis245]

Quick question, dependent child is 17 years old, he made very little and wants to file to claim the $100 be paid in to federal.  If he files he owes $37 to state.  Does he technically have to file state also?? 

[Catherine]

If he is under the filing threshold for that state, I don't think so.  If above, he has to file.

[Lion EA]

Read your state requirements.  (In CT he would have to file if any CT w/h.)

Edited March 5, 2015 by Lion EA

[rfassett]

Yep - it depends on state law. In PA, the 1st dollar of tax requires a filing. So with our rate being a fixed 3.07%, income (wages, interests, dividends, Schedule C or E, etc) over $32 requires a filing.

[kcjenkins]

Quick question, dependent child is 17 years old, he made very little and wants to file to claim the $100 be paid in to federal.  If he files he owes $37 to state.  Does he technically have to file state also?? 

I hope you can make him understand that filing is his legal obligation, not something you only do if it benefits him.  

[Cathy]

Quick question, dependent child is 17 years old, he made very little and wants to file to claim the $100 be paid in to federal.  If he files he owes $37 to state.  Does he technically have to file state also?? 

 

 

Check your state's filing requirements carefully.  In Louisiana, if the only reason you file a Federal return is to receive a refund of what was paid in (your income is under the Federal minimum filing requirement), then there is a box to check on the Louisiana return to indicate such and no Louisiana taxes are due.  As Louisiana is a state that usually doesn't come up with issues such as this on their own, I imagine they copied the idea from another/other state.