Date posted: January 30, 2009
My child is a college student. How much does she have to earn before she’s required to file a tax return?
My child is a college student. How much does she have to earn before she’s required to file a tax return?
— Submitted by Barbara
The filing threshold for a dependent depends on both earned income from a job and/or self-employment and unearned (investment) income. For an unmarried dependent (under age 65 and not legally blind), a 2008 federal income tax return must be filed if any of the following apply:
- Earned income was over $6,800.
- Unearned income was over $2,250.
- Gross income was more than the larger of $2,250 or earned income up to ($6,800).
