Do Minors Have To Pay Taxes? Teens and Income Taxes Explained

If you’ve asked, “Do minors have to pay taxes?” the simple answer is yes. Minors may be required to file a tax return or pay taxes based on what they earn. A teen may have a part-time job, for example, mowing lawns after school. 

Knowing when minors pay taxes helps ensure compliance, so you can remain on the right side of the law. With knowledge of these income tax rules and taxable income, you won’t feel lost in the tax system for minors. Also, you can make pay stubs for your child to ensure their finances are in order.

In this guide, we answer “Do minors have to pay taxes,” and explain what to do if your minor child earns an income. You’ll also learn about tax obligations, filing requirements, income thresholds, and other rules for teens.

Do Minors Have To Pay Taxes?

Let’s discuss “Do minors have to pay taxes?” in more detail. Yes, minors pay taxes just like adults. If you have a minor child, they may work a part-time job or a summer job. If that’s the case, they have taxes withheld, and they may have to file a tax return. The IRS does not exempt minors just because of their age. Once they have taxable income, your minor’s income requires filing. 

To find out if a minor needs to file a return, you need to know two things. Their income during the tax year, and whether the parents claim them as dependents. Their tax situation has to do with the set income thresholds. So, if what they earn is below a certain threshold, they may not need to file. But if their income is above that income threshold, filing is then mandatory.

Read More: What Is FWT on Paystub and What Does It Mean for You?

Do 15 Year Olds Have to Pay Taxes?

The answer to this is the same as “Do minors have to pay taxes?” 15-year-olds also have the same tax rules as other minors. It’s not your age that determines if you owe taxes. It’s your income.

For the 2026 tax year, a 15-year-old claimed as a dependent must file if they meet a certain threshold. That’s if their earned income is more than the standard deduction amount of $15,750. For unearned income, the amount is $1,350.

Most teens who work part-time jobs may not even earn enough money to owe taxes. Their employer may withhold taxes, but then, they have to file their own tax return. Then, they get a refund. Sometimes, to know your teen’s tax situation or when they must file taxes, you may need to get tax advice.

How Much Do Minors Get Taxed on Paychecks? Know Your Minor's Paycheck

Now that we know “Do minors have to pay taxes?” we need to know how much. What is withheld from a minor’s paycheck usually depends on their total earnings and W-4 form. Employers withhold federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare taxes from every paycheck. You need your tax details to know if you’ll pay federal income tax or get a refund.

Do they tax minors paychecks? 

Yes, but tax liability is not necessarily the same as the taxes withheld. If a minor earns $5000, taxes may be withheld from their paycheck. However, their income is still less than the standard deduction. That means they won’t owe or pay federal income tax. When they file their tax return, they get back the income tax withheld as a refund.

Check Out: Make paystubs with our user-friendly free paystub templates

When Do Minors Need to File a Tax Return? Income Limits

When do minors have to pay taxes and file their return? The IRS requires filing based on the type of income and the amount you earn. So, you need to know when you are required to file a tax return and when you should file taxes voluntarily. The IRS has income thresholds for this. 

Earned Income Limits for Part-Time Job and Summer Job

Earned income takes into account earnings from a part-time job, summer job, or self-employment gigs. For example, mowing lawns or babysitting. For the 2026 tax year, a minor has to file a tax return if their earned income is more than $15,750.

If the earnings do not reach that threshold, then they’re not required to file. However, filing still makes sense so that employer withheld taxes can be refunded. In any case, you should still file an income tax return or a federal income tax return. 

Unearned Income and the Kiddie Tax

Unearned income includes interest, dividends, capital gains, and investment income. Different rules apply here, and they can be a bit stricter. For the 2026 tax year, a minor has to file a tax return if their unearned income is more than $1,350.

Unearned income that includes interest from savings accounts is common. The kiddie tax applies to those minors who have a lot more unearned income. With this tax, their investment income will not be taxed at the normal lower rate. The kidde tax applies to a minor under 18 and a full-time student under 24.

Under the kiddie tax, a child's unearned income above $2,700 is taxed at the parents' rate. The first $1,350 is covered by the standard deduction. The remaining is taxed at the child's rate.

Also Read: A Full Guide on the 3 Types of Taxes

Self-Employment Taxes for Minors: Mowing Lawns and Other Self-Employment

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Even if minors are self-employed, the answer to "Do minors have to pay taxes?" is still yes. Self-employed minors have to pay self-employment taxes. So, if your teen is mowing lawns or earns an income freelancing online, they’re self-employed.

Self-employment income is income earned working for yourself. Mowing lawns, pet sitting, and tutoring fall under this category. If their net income from self-employment is more than $400, then they have to pay self-employment taxes. And also, the minor has to file a return. Minors can deduct business expenses from their self-employment income.

Further Reading: Tax Loopholes That Could Reduce Your Tax Liability

How Can You File Taxes as a Minor Child? File a Return for Your Own Taxes

Even if you’re filing as a minor, you follow the same process adults use. But you need to understand the filing process to file taxes correctly. Here are the steps:

1. Gather your tax documents: Get your W-2 forms from employers or 1099 forms for self-employment. You also need your Social Security number.

2. Pick a filing status: For minors, the filing status is usually “single.” You can use this even if you file your own return while being claimed as a dependent.

3. Calculate total income: Add both your earned and unearned income. This helps you get to your taxable income.

4. File electronically: IRS encourages you to file electronically. You can use tax software to file a return online.

5. Pay or claim a refund: If the minor still owes taxes, they should pay by the deadline. If they’re due for a refund, they can choose their payment method. 

Sometimes, taxes can get pretty complex. For example, situations with foreign income or a lot of self-employment income. You can get tax help from a tax pro to ensure you file accurately or get the maximum refund.

Check Out: Make pay stubs for backup documentation when filing taxes

Quick Recap

Do minors have to pay taxes? Yes, minors have their tax obligations, just like adults. Once your teen has a summer job or a part-time job, it’s always good to know when they need to file. This can help ensure compliance and keep them in a good financial situation. 

To file taxes, you need to have all your documents in order. Our paystubs maker can help you handle the pay stubs part. With our tool, your minor child never needs to worry about having to pay for documents.