ElectroFile Income Tax Service   Income Tax Service   Terry Hough, President
Terry Hough

March 21, 2013 Newsletter


Tax Rules for Children Who Have Investment Income

Some children receive investment income and are required to file a federal tax return. If a child cannot file his or her own tax return for any reason, such as age, the child's parent or guardian is responsible for filing a return on the child’s behalf.

There are special tax rules that affect how parents report a child’s investment income. Some parents can include their child’s investment income on their tax return. Other children may have to file their own tax return.

Here are four facts about the taxability of your child’s investment income.

  1. Investment income normally includes interest, dividends, capital gains and other unearned income, such as from a trust.
  2. Special rules apply if your child's total investment income is more than $1,900. The parent’s tax rate may apply to part of that income instead of the child's tax rate.
  3. If your child's total interest and dividend income is less than $9,500, you may be able to include the income on your tax return. See Form 8814, Parents' Election to Report Child's Interest and Dividends. If you make this choice, the child does not file a return.
  4. Your child must file their own tax return if they received investment income of $9,500 or more. File Form 8615, Tax for Certain Children Who Have Investment Income of More Than $1,900, with the child’s federal tax return.
For more information on this topic, see Publication 929, Tax Rules for Children and Dependents or your ElectroFile tax professional.
Our office is located at
5200 W. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27409


Phone: 336-852-9505
FAX : 866-616-0471
email:     taxservice@electrofile.com
website: ElectroFile Income Tax Service
Click here for a
map to our office
Click for map to office

here for
Tax Tip of the Day
We are an Authorized eFile provider.
Office Hours
Dates Days Open Close
Tax Season January 17 - April 17 Mon - Fri   9:00am 7:00pm
Sat   9:00am 3:00pm
Non-Tax Season April 18 - January 15 Mon - Thurs
  9:00am 11:30am