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Conference moira::parenting

Title:Parenting
Notice:Previous PARENTING version at MOIRA::PARENTING_V3
Moderator:GEMEVN::FAIMANY
Created:Thu Apr 09 1992
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1292
Total number of notes:34837

1257.0. "Mass Tax for dependent?" by TUXEDO::FRIDAY (DCE: The real world is distributed too.) Fri Mar 07 1997 15:05

    I've got a hopefully-simple question regarding Massachusetts
    Income tax for a dependent.
    
    This year, for the first time, my son has enough interest
    income that I've got to declare it w.r.t. Federal income tax.
    Apparently I'll have to file a 1040 form for him.
    
    As far as Massachusetts is concerned, it appears that he'll
    be exempt from taxes, since one has to have many thousands
    of dollars of income before it's taxable.
    
    But, do I have to file a Massachusetts return for him anyway,
    just to establish his non-taxable status?
    
    The DOR's web site contains no information regarding this.
    And the guide to filing doesn't appear to answer this
    question directly at all.
    
    Thanks in advance
    
    
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1257.1How much?ALFA2::PEASLEEFri Mar 07 1997 15:514
    Sorry, I don't know the answer.  How much income does one's child need
    to earn to have to fill out the federal form?
    
    Nancy
1257.2STAR::LEWISFri Mar 07 1997 16:094
    I've sent mail to my husband as he does our taxes for what we did.  If
    I recall correctly, we never did anything for Mass taxes, just federal,
    when my son's (gift) stock crossed over the federal line. 
    Sue
1257.3TLE::EKLUNDAlways smiling on the inside!Fri Mar 07 1997 16:3311
    	I believe that as long as you are NOT trying to get any
    withholding back from Massachusetts AND the child falls below the
    limit for Massachusetts (around $8000 or more as I recall),
    then you do NOT need to file a return.  Furthermore, even if
    you are questioned, there is not likely to be any penalty
    since no tax was due.
    
    Cheers!
    Dave Eklund
    (who has not filed under similar circumstances for MANY years)
    
1257.4"Who Should File"STAR::LEWISFri Mar 07 1997 18:143
    My husband says he couldn't remember exactly, but that he read
    the "Who Should File" and acted accordingly.
    Sue
1257.5CSCMA::BALICHTue Mar 25 1997 14:0411
    
    
    I figure this a good place to ask ...
    
    We pay childcare .. $160.00 per week.
    I do the DCRA for $96 per week.
    
    Can I deduct the *difference* (160-96= $64) off my Federal or State
    taxes ?  
    
    Thanks!
1257.6Total of $5k no matter which way you do itZEKE::ASCHNEIDERAndy Schneider - DTN 381-1696Tue Mar 25 1997 14:099
    Nope.  If you take the $96 per week, that adds up to almost $5000,
    which is the federal limit.  If you took LESS than $5000 for the year,
    you could deduct the difference between your DCRA and $5K.  Basically,
    you can't dip past the $5K barrier.
    
    andy (who came THIS CLOSE to going below $5K per year for childcare
          until son #3 came last November (other sons were 11 and 8). 
          Now, we're starting all over again....)
    
1257.7DECCXL::WIBECANThat's the way it is, in Engineering!Tue Mar 25 1997 17:3721
[I'm not an accountant, I don't play one on TV; read the tax form instructions,
they are pretty good; Caveat Emptor, Caveat Vendor; Newsat Eleven...]

>>    Nope.  If you take the $96 per week, that adds up to almost $5000,
>>    which is the federal limit.  If you took LESS than $5000 for the year,
>>    you could deduct the difference between your DCRA and $5K.  Basically,
>>    you can't dip past the $5K barrier.

The Federal limit for deduction on the tax form is NOT $5000, it is less
($2400, I believe).  As indicated in .6, you subtract the amount of DCRA
benefits from the amount you spent AND the deduction amount (i.e. the $2400
limit) when figuring out what you can deduct on the tax form.  You are thus
much better off getting DCRA benefits, if you are sure to exceed them.  (It's
not too difficult to exceed that limit; with our two kids, we're over by May.)

Regarding state taxes, that would of course depend on which state, but in
Massachusetts the form instructions state that you do NOT have to take DCRA
benefits into consideration when figuring out the maximum deduction.  There you
CAN deduct some portion of the excess expenses over the DCRA amount.

						Brian
1257.8Where on the Web ?CSCMA::BALICHTue Mar 25 1997 18:256
    
    Where can I get 'U.S.form 2441' online ???
    
    THANKS in advance!!!
    
    
1257.9NOTIME::SACKSGerald Sacks ZKO2-3/N30 DTN:381-2085Tue Mar 25 1997 18:351
The IRS website.  Take a look at a 1040 booklet, and it'll be listed there.