Skip to content
Home » Valentine's Day » Can my child file jointly or separately? Important info for parents this tax season

Can my child file jointly or separately? Important info for parents this tax season

Tax season has begun, and parents who received the Child Tax Credit are wondering if their children must file separately.

If your child is under 19 years old- or under 24 years old if they’re a full-time student- you can claim them as a dependent if they lived with you for over half of the year and you provide more than half of their monetary support, according to Binghamton News.


Dependent children who were employed in 2021 and earned more than $12,550 will have to file their own tax return. Likewise, college students should also file a tax return.

Additionally, if your child receives income from sources other than a job totaling over $2,200, they might be subject to different rules when filing. If your child had exclusively interest and dividend income totaling less than $11,000 in 2021, you may be able to file jointly.

Of course, this is general advice- if you’re unsure where to start, or have specific questions about your situation, consult with a tax expert.