I’ve read all the things there are about paying taxes if there’s more than a certain amount of money earned, but when I talked to my mom about it she said that since I’m under 18 I may not have to. So I decided to ask here on the site:

Will I have to file for/pay taxes if I earn over that certain amount even though I’m under 18?

Hi Shelbi,

eduFire will send you a form if you earn over a certain amount as you are a US resident. How your circumstances such as age etc. is affected by taxes is something you’ll manage personally.

Hope that helps.

the best thing to do Shelbi is to check with the IRS frequently asked questions page here;
http://www.irs.gov/faqs/index.html?portlet=5

I really know nothing about this, so another question having to do with it….

I checked on the page that TheHidden Imam linked to and the maze of many links that the things led me to. Eventually there was one that said:

" Single Dependents— Were you either age 65 or blind?

No. You must file a return if any of the following apply.
1. Your unearned income was more than $900.
2. Your earned income was more than $5,450.
3. Your gross income was more than the larger of —
a. $900.
b. your earned income (up to $5,150) plus $300."

Would that mean I wouldn’t have to file unless I earned over $5,450? I don’t really understand this sort of thing very well. =/

Hello Shelbi, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ron Smith and I am a tutor here on eduFire as well. I have been involved in business for many years, however, I am not a tax consultant or an attorney, so please double check the information I am about to share with you.

IRS Publication #929 covers the rules you need to consider in answering your question. Although the publication is for 2008, you can use this as a guideline as you prepare for your 2009 returns.

There are several pieces of information you did not disclose, which is important in answering your question. For instance, I do not know if you have a part time job which also pays you an income in addition to what you make from your tutoring business here on eduFire. This will have a lot to do with determining if you must file these taxes.

However, I do believe you will need to declare this income because I will assume eduFire will issue a 1099 for income earned. According to Publication 929, you are required to file if you owe Social Security or Medicare taxes from income that was not collected from your employer. Although eduFire is not technically your employer, you still are responsible for paying all taxes on income earned.

This is a very difficult question to answer online without additional information. Read through the publication I listed very carefully and try to apply the information to your particular circumstances. But one piece of advice I would strongly recommend for you – when it comes to dealing with the IRS, make certain if you make a mistake your mistake benefits the IRS and not you.

also, Shelby, you can visit your local IRS office and ask them, or call the 800 free number, and they will answer your question because they are the gurus who know best in this area.

Hi Shelbi,

The following advice should not be taken as legal advice or tax advice and you must double check before relying on it.

Shelbi, you will have to pay your taxes on the amount earned and you will be in the tax bracket which your parents are until you have reached the age of majority (i.e. 18). I know this because one year when I was 17 years old I worked at a department store for 20 hours before I quite. When your family files for their income tax you need to file with them. The amount will not be that high but it is best to keep good records of your taxes encase of any problems in the future.