Who Can I Claim as a Dependent on Taxes?
From Tax Guide.
Tax Guide · Arab, Alabama
First Job Taxes: Do I Have to File a Tax Return?
Just got your first job? Learn what a W-2 and W-4 are, whether a teen or student has to file, and why filing may still get withholding back.
The short answer
Do I have to file a tax return at my first job?
Whether you have to file depends on how much you earned, what kind of income it was and whether someone else can claim you as a dependent, and you may want to file even when you do not have to.
The IRS sets filing thresholds each year, and they are different for people who can be claimed as a dependent, so we do not list a dollar figure here. A teenager who earned wages from one part-time job may not be required to file, while another with the same job and some extra income might be.
Even when you are not required to file, you may want to. If your employer withheld income tax from your paychecks, the only way to get that money back is to file a return. A short return can be worth doing just for that reason.
Alabama has its own income tax return with its own filing rules. The federal answer and the Alabama answer do not have to match, so we check both.
Paperwork
What are a W-4 and a W-2 for a first job?
The W-4 is the form you fill out when you are hired, and the W-2 is the form your employer sends you after the year ends.
Your employer will ask you to complete Form W-4, which tells them how much income tax to hold back from each paycheck. The answers are about your situation, such as whether someone can claim you as a dependent and whether you have other jobs. For a first job, many people find the form confusing. Ask the employer or a preparer if you are unsure, and read our guide on adjusting your withholding with a new W-4.
After the year ends, your employer gives you a Form W-2 showing what you were paid and what was withheld. You need it to file. If it is late, wrong or missing, see what to do about a missing or incorrect W-2.
Keep in mind that Social Security and Medicare taxes are usually withheld from a paycheck no matter how little you earn, even if no income tax is withheld.
Special cases
What if my teen babysits, mows lawns or does gig work?
Money earned without an employer taking out taxes still counts as income, and it may be self-employment income.
Work such as babysitting, yard work, tutoring, delivery or online sales is often paid without a W-2. That income is generally reportable, and someone who earns enough from self-employment may owe self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) on top of income tax. The threshold for filing because of self-employment income is different from the one for wages, so a teen can need to file even when the wage rules would not require it.
Keeping a simple record makes it easier. Write down who paid you, when, and what they paid. Save receipts for costs tied to the work. Our guide on self-employment tax explains the basics, and gig work and side hustle taxes covers app-based jobs.
Payments from family are not exempt just because they come from family. If you are not sure whether an amount is reportable, ask before guessing.
- Cash tips and cash payments are generally still income.
- Form 1099-NEC or 1099-K may arrive for non-employee work.
- Costs of doing the work may be deductible against that income.
Dependents
Can my parents still claim me if I have a job?
Yes, in many cases, a working teen or student can still be claimed as a dependent, and that affects how the teen files.
Having a job does not automatically stop a parent from claiming you. Other tests, such as age, residency, and who provides the support, come into play. Our article on dependents and child-related credits explains those tests in plain language.
If someone else can claim you, that affects how you complete your Form W-4 and your own return, and it can limit some of what you can claim. Two people cannot both claim the same dependent, so families should talk before filing to avoid a rejected return or a letter from the IRS.
College students should also watch for education forms such as Form 1098-T, which may affect who gets certain credits.
Getting ready
How do I file my first tax return?
To file your first return, gather your W-2s and any other income forms, confirm whether you are a dependent, and either file yourself or bring everything to a preparer.
The steps are simple when the paperwork is in order. Our guide on how to file taxes in Alabama walks through the state side. Do not send your Social Security number or documents through our website. Bring them to the office or call us.
- Every W-2 from every employer, even for a short job.
- Forms 1099 for any other work or interest income.
- A parent's information if you are being claimed as a dependent.
- Your Social Security card or number and a photo ID.
- Bank account details for a direct deposit refund.
How we can help
How Melton Tax Services can help
Our office prepares income tax returns for individuals and families, including first-time filers and students.
If you are not sure whether you have to file, bring your papers and we will go over them together. Learn more about our income tax preparation service or contact our office.
You can also call 256-586-4635. We serve Arab and the surrounding area.
Answers
Questions about first job and teen taxes
Can I get my withheld income tax back if I earned very little?
If tax was withheld and you did not owe that much, filing a return is generally how you claim it back. A preparer can tell you whether your income and situation call for one.
Do I have to file if I only worked a few weeks?
It depends on what you earned and whether someone can claim you as a dependent. Even a short job may be worth reporting if tax was withheld.
Why was Social Security taken out of my check if I did not owe income tax?
Social Security and Medicare taxes are withheld on wages under separate rules from income tax. They usually apply from your first dollar of pay.
What if I lost my W-2?
Ask your employer for another copy first. If that does not work, the IRS has steps to follow, and our guide on missing W-2s explains them.
I am a full-time student. Do I file differently?
Being a student does not change the basic rules, but it can bring education forms and credits into play. Bring any Form 1098-T with the rest of your papers.
My parents claim me. Do I still file my own return?
You may need to, depending on your income, or you may want to in order to get withholding back. Being claimed as a dependent affects how you file, so bring the details.
Read next
Related reading
Lost, Missing or Wrong W-2? What to Do
From Tax Guide.
How To Fill Out a New W-4 and Adjust Withholding
From Tax Guide.
How to File Taxes in Alabama
From Tax Guide.
Income Tax Services
A service Melton Tax Services provides.
Melton Tax Services
Questions about your taxes or your business?
Our team in Arab is just a phone call away, and we are glad to talk it through with you.