If you’re under 19 (or a full-time student under 24) and your parents can claim you as a dependent, you might still need to file a tax return—but only if you earned above certain limits.

For 2025, here’s when you must file:

✅ If you had earned income (like wages from a part-time job):

• You must file if you made more than $15,750.

✅ If you had unearned income (like interest, dividends, or investment income):

• You must file if it was more than $1,350.

✅ If you had both types of income:

• You must file if your total gross income is more than the larger of:
  • $1,350, or
  • Your earned income (up to $15,300) + $450

💡 Example: You made $3,000 at your summer job and got $200 in stock dividends.
Your total income = $3,200
The filing threshold = $3,000 + $450 = $3,450
Since $3,200 < $3,450 → you don’t have to file.

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📌 Even If You Don’t Have to File… Should You?

YES—if any of these apply:

• Federal income tax was withheld from your paycheck (you want a refund!)
• You qualify for a refundable credit like the Earned Income Credit (EIC) or Additional Child Tax Credit
• You had health insurance through the Marketplace and received advance premium tax credits

🎯 Tip: Most teens who work part-time won’t owe tax, but they often get a refund of the taxes withheld—so it’s worth filing!

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👨‍👩‍👧 Who Files the Return?

• You are responsible for your own return.
• If you’re too young or unable to file, a parent or guardian can file for you—but you still get the refund.

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📝 Quick Summary

Situation	Do You Need to File?
Made less than $15,750 at your job and no investment income	❌ No
Had more than $1,350 in investment income	✅ Yes
Got taxes withheld from your paycheck	✅ Yes—file to get a refund!