US Internal Revenue Service: p929--2000

8/14/2019 US Internal Revenue Service: p929--2000

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Contents

Important Changes ............................ 1

Important Reminders ......................... 2

Introduction ........................................ 2

Part 1. Rules for All Dependents ...... 2

Filing Requirements ........................ 2

Who Should File ............................. 4Responsibility for Child's Return .... 4

Standard Deduction ........................ 4

Dependent's Own Exemption ......... 5

Withholding From Wages ............... 5

Part 2. Tax on Investment Income ofChild Under 14 ............................. 6

Parent's Election To Report Child'sInterest and Dividends ............. 6

Tax for Children Under Age 14 WhoHave Investment Income ofMore Than $1,400 ................... 8

Glossary .............................................. 21

How To Get Tax Help ......................... 22

Index .................................................... 23

Important Changes

Filing requirements. The amount of grossincome that many dependents with earnedincome (wages, tips, etc.) can have during theyear without having to file a return has in-creased. See Filing Requirementsin Part 1.

Standard deduction. The standard de-

duction for many dependents with earned in-come (wages, tips, etc.) has increased. SeeStandard Deductionin Part 1.

Alternative minimum tax. The limit on theexemption amount for figuring the alternativeminimum tax of a child filing Form 8615 hasincreased to the child's earned income plus$5,200. See Alternative Minimum Taxin Part2.

Paid preparer authorization. Beginning withyour return for 2000, you can check a box andauthorize the IRS to discuss your tax returnwith the paid preparer who signed it. If youcheck the Yes box in the signature area ofyour return, the IRS can call your paid

preparer to answer any questions that mayarise during the processing of your return.Also, you are authorizing your paid preparerto perform certain actions. See your incometax package for details.

Photographs of missing children. TheInternal Revenue Service is a proud partnerwith the National Center for Missing and Ex-ploited Children. Photographs of missingchildren selected by the Center may appearin this publication on pages that would other-wise be blank. You can help bring thesechildren home by looking at the photographsand calling 1800THELOST (18008435678) if you recognize a child.

Departmentof theTreasury

InternalRevenueService

Publica tion 929Cat. No. 64349Y

Tax Rules forChildren andDependents

For use in preparing

2000 Returns


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Important Reminders

Parent's election to report child's interestand dividends. You may be able to elect toinclude your child's interest and dividends onyour tax return. If you make this election, thechild does not have to file a return. See Par-ent's Election To Report Child's Interest andDividendsin Part 2.

Social security number (SSN). Depen-dents who are required to file a tax returnmust have an SSN. To apply for an SSN, fileForm SS5 with the Social Security Adminis-tration. It usually takes about 2 weeks to getan SSN.

Individual taxpayer identification number(ITIN). The IRS will issue an ITIN to a non-resident or resident alien who does not haveand is not eligible to get an SSN. To applyfor an ITIN, file Form W7 with the IRS. Itusually takes about 30 days to get an ITIN.The ITIN is entered wherever an SSN is re-quested on a tax return. If you are requiredto include another person's SSN on your re-

turn and that person does not have and can-not get an SSN, enter that person's ITIN.

An ITIN is for tax use only. It does notentitle the holder to social security benefitsor change the holder's employment or immi-gration status under U.S. law.

Names and numbers on tax returns mustmatch. You should compare the names andnumbers used on tax returns with the infor-mation on the identification cards issued bythe Social Security Administration or the IRSto make sure they match. People who changetheir surnames for any reason such asmarriage should get updated identificationcards, unless they intend to use the formername for legal purposes.

Exemption. A person who can be claimedas a dependent on another person's tax re-turn cannot claim an exemption for himselfor herself on his or her own return.

IntroductionPart 1 of this publication explains the filingrequirements and other tax information forindividuals who can be claimed as a de-pendent on another person's tax return.

Part 2 explains how to report and figurethe tax on certain investment income of chil-

dren under age 14 (whether or not they canbe claimed as dependents).

Definitions. Many of the terms used in thispublication, such as dependent, earned in-come, and unearned income, are definedin the Glossaryat the back of this publication.

Comments and suggestions. We welcomeyour comments about this publication andyour suggestions for future editions.

You can e-mail us while visiting our website at www.irs.gov/help/email2.html.

You can write to us at the following ad-dress:

Internal Revenue ServiceTechnical Publications BranchW:CAR:MP:FP:P1111 Constitution Ave. NWWashington, DC 20224

We respond to many letters by telephone.Therefore, it would be helpful if you wouldinclude your daytime phone number, includ-ing the area code, in your correspondence.

Useful Items

You may want to see:

Publication

501 Exemptions, Standard Deduction,and Filing Information

520 Scholarships and Fellowships

Form (and Instructions)

W4 Employee's Withholding Allow-ance Certificate

8615 Tax for Children Under Age 14Who Have Investment Income ofMore Than $1,400

8814 Parents' Election To Report

Child's Interest and DividendsSee How To Get Tax Help near the end

of this publication for information about get-ting these publications and forms.

Part 1. Rules forAll DependentsTerms you may need to know (seeGlossary):

DependentEarned incomeExemption

Filing statusGross incomeItemized deductionsStandard deductionUnearned income

This part of the publication discusses the filingrequirements for dependents, who is respon-sible for a child's return, how to figure a de-pendent's standard deduction and exemption(if any), and whether a dependent can claimexemption from federal income tax withhold-ing.

Filing RequirementsWhether a dependent has to file a returngenerally depends on the amount of the de-pendent's earned and unearned income andwhether the dependent is married, is age 65or older, or is blind.

The following sections apply to depen-dents with:

Earned income only,

Unearned income only, and

Both earned and unearned income.

To find out whether a dependent must file,read the section that applies, or use Table 1.

CAUTION

!A dependent may have to file a returneven if his or her income is below theamount that would normally require a

return. SeeOther Filing Requirements, later.

Earned Income OnlyA dependent must file a return if all his or

her income is earned income, and the total ismore than the amount listed in the followingtable.

Example. William is 16. His motherclaims an exemption for him on her incometax return. He worked part time on weekendsduring the school year and full time during thesummer. He earned $4,500 in wages. He didnot have any unearned income.

He must file a tax return because he hasearned income only and his total income ismore than $4,400. If he were blind, he wouldnot have to file a return because his total in-come is not more than $5,500.

Unearned Income OnlyA dependent must file a return if all his or herincome is unearned income, and the total ismore than the amount listed in the followingtable.

Example. Sarah is 18 and single. Herparents can claim an exemption for her ontheir income tax return. She received $850of taxable interest and dividend income. Shedid not work during the year.

She must file a tax return because she hasunearned income only and her total incomeof $850 is more than $700. If she were blind,she would not have to file a return becauseshe has unearned income only and her totalincome is not more than $1,800.

Election to report child's unearned incomeon parent's return. A parent of a child underage 14 may be able to elect to include thechild's interest and dividend income (includingAlaska Permanent Fund dividends) on theparent's return. See Parent's Election ToReport Child's Interest and Dividends in Part2. If the parent makes this election, the childdoes not have to file a return.

Marital Status AmountSingle

Under 65 and not blind ............................ $4,400Either 65 or older or blind ........................ $5,50065 or older and blind ............................... $6,600

Married*Under 65 and not blind ............................ $3,675Either 65 or older or blind ........................ $4,52565 or older and blind ............................... $5,375

*If a dependent's spouse itemizes deductions on aseparate return, the dependent must file a return ifthe dependent has $5 or more of gross income(earned and/or unearned).

Marital Status Amount

SingleUnder 65 and not blind ............................ $700Either 65 or older or blind ........................ $1,80065 or older and blind ............................... $2,900

Married*Under 65 and not blind ............................ $700Either 65 or older or blind ........................ $1,55065 or older and blind ............................... $2,400

*If a dependent's spouse itemizes deductions on aseparate return, the dependent must file a return ifthe dependent has $5 or more of gross income(earned and/or unearned).

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Earned andUnearned Income

A dependent who has both earnedand unearned income generally mustfile a return if his or her gross (total)

income is more than line 5 of the followingworksheet.

65 or older and/or blind. A de-pendent who is 65 or older and/orblind must file a return if his or her

gross (total) income is more than line 7 of thefollowing worksheet.

Example 1. Joe is 20, single, and a full-time college student. His parents providemost of his support and claim an exemptionfor him on their income tax return. He re-ceived $200 taxable interest income andearned $2,500 from a part-time job.

Table 1. 2000 Filing Requirements for Dependents

If your parent (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent, use this table to see if you

must file a return.

Single dependentsWere you either age 65 or older or blind?

No. You must file a return if any of the following apply.

See the definitions of dependent, earned income, and unearned income in theGlossary.

PLUS $700, or Your earned income (up to $4,150) plus $250

$1,100 ($2,200 if 65or older and blind)

The larger of: This amount:

Married dependentsWere you either age 65 or older or blind?

No. You must file a return if any of the following apply.

Yes. You must file a return if any of the following apply.

PLUS $700, or $850 ($1,700 if 65or older and blind)

The larger of: This amount:

Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return anditemizes deductions.

Your earned income was over $4,525 ($5,375 if 65 or older and blind), Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and

itemizes deductions. Your gross income was more than

Your earned income was over $5,500 ($6,600 if 65 or older and blind), Your gross income was more than

Yes. You must file a return if any of the following apply.

Your earned income was over $4,400. Your gross income was more than the larger of:

$700, or Your earned income (up to $4,150) plus $250.

Your earned income was over $3,675. Your gross income was more than the larger of:

$700, or Your earned income (up to $3,425) plus $250.

Your earned income (up to $3,425) plus $250

Your unearned income was over $1,550 ($2,400 if 65 or over and blind),

Your unearned income was over $1,800 ($2,900 if 65 or over and blind),

Your unearned income was over $700.

Your unearned income was over $700.

Filing Requirement Worksheetfor Most Dependents

1. Enter dependent's earned income plus$250. .......................................................

2. Minimum amount ..................................... $7003. Compare lines 1 and 2. Enter the larger

amount ....................................................4. Enter the appropriate amount from the

following table .........................................

Marital Status AmountSingle $4,400Married $3,675

5. Compare lines 3 and 4. Enter the smalleramount ....................................................

6. Enter the dependent's gross (total) in-come ........................................................

If line 6 is more than line 5, the dependent must filean income tax return. If the dependent is marriedand his or her spouse itemizes deductions on aseparate return, the dependent must file an incometax return if gross income is $5 or more.

Filing Requirement Worksheetfor Dependents

Who Are 65 or Olderand/or Blind

1. Enter dependent's earned income plus$250 ........................................................


amount ....................................................

4. Enter the appropriate amount from thefollowing table .........................................

Marital Status AmountSingle $4,400 He does not have to file a tax return be-

cause his total income of $2,700 ($200 inter-est plus $2,500 in wages) is not more than$2,750 (figured by filling in the Filing Re-quirement Worksheet for Most Dependents,as shown next).

Example 2. The facts are the same as inExample 1 except that Joe had $400 taxableinterest income.

He must file a tax return because his totalincome of $2,900 ($400 interest plus $2,500wages) is more than $2,750, the amount online 5 of his filled-in worksheet (shown next).

Married $3,675

5. Compare lines 3 and 4. Enter the smalleramount ....................................................

6. Enter the amount from the following tablethat applies to the dependent ............... ..


Filled-in Example 1 for JoeFiling Requirement Worksheet

for Most Dependents

Either 65 or older or bl ind $1,100Filled-in Example 2 for Joe

Filing Requirement Worksheetfor Most Dependents

65 or older and blind $2,200Married

Either 65 or older or blind $850 1. Enter dependent's earned income plus$250. ....................................................... $2,75065 or older and blind $1,700 1. Enter dependent's earned income plus

$250. ....................................................... $2,7502. Minimum amount ..................................... $7007. Add lines 5 and 6. Enter the total ........... 3. Compare lines 1 and 2. Enter the larger

amount .................................................... 2,750

2. Minimum amount ..................................... $700

8. Enter the dependent's gross (total) in-come ........................................................ 3. Compare lines 1 and 2. Enter the largeramount .................................................... 2,7504. Enter the appropriate amount from thefollowing table ......................................... 4,400 4. Enter the appropriate amount from the

following table ......................................... 4,400If line 8 is more than line 7, the dependent must filean income tax return. If the dependent is marriedand his or her spouse itemizes deductions on aseparate return, the dependent must file an incometax return if gross income is $5 or more.

Marital Status AmountSingle $4,400 Marital Status AmountMarried $3,675 Single $4,400

Married $3,6755. Compare lines 3 and 4. Enter the smalleramount .................................................... 2,750 5. Compare lines 3 and 4. Enter the smaller

amount .................................................... 2,7506. Enter the dependent's gross (total) in-come ........................................................ 2,700 6. Enter the dependent's gross (total) in-

come ........................................................ 2,900If line 6 is more than line 5, the dependent must filean income tax return. If the dependent is marriedand his or her spouse itemizes deductions on aseparate return, the dependent must file an incometax return if gross income is $5 or more.

If line 6 is more than line 5, the dependent must filean income tax return. If the dependent is marriedand his or her spouse itemizes deductions on aseparate return, the dependent must file an incometax return if gross income is $5 or more.

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Example 3. The facts are the same as inExample 2 except that Joe is also blind. Hedoes not have to file a return because his totalincome of $2,900 is not more than $3,850(figured by filling in the Filing RequirementWorksheet for Dependents Who Are 65 orOlder and/or Blind, as shown next).

Other Filing RequirementsSome dependents may have to file a tax re-turn even if their income is below the amountthat would normally require them to file a re-turn.

A dependent must file a tax return if heor she owes any other taxes, such as:

1) Social security and Medicare tax on tipsnot reported to his or her employer,

2) Uncollected social security and Medicareor railroad retirement tax on tips reportedto his or her employer or on group-termlife insurance,

3) Alternative minimum tax,

4) Tax on a qualified retirement plan, in-cluding an individual retirement arrange-ment (IRA), or on a medical savings ac-count (MSA), or

5) Recapture taxes.

A dependent must also file a tax returnif he or she:

1) Received any advance earned incomecredit payments from his or her employ-ers in 2000,

2) Had wages of $108.28 or more from achurch or qualified church-controlled or-ganization that is exempt from employersocial security and Medicare taxes, or

3) Had net earnings from self-employmentof at least $400.

Spouse itemizes. A dependent must file areturn if the dependent's spouse itemizesdeductions on a separate return and the de-pendent has $5 or more of gross income(earned and/or unearned).

Who Should FileEven if a dependent does not meet any of thefiling requirements discussed earlier, he orshe should file a tax return if one of the fol-lowing applies.

1) Income tax was withheld from his or herpay.

2) He or she qualifies for the earned in-come credit or the additional child taxcredit. See Publication 596, Earned In-come Credit, for more information on theearned income credit.

By filing a return, the dependent can get arefund.

Responsibility forChild's ReturnGenerally, the child is responsible for filinghis or her own tax return and for paying anytax, penalties, or interest on that return. If achild cannot file his or her own return for anyreason, such as age, the child's parent orguardian is responsible for filing a return onhis or her behalf.

Signing the child's return. If the child can-not sign his or her return, a parent or guardiancan sign the child's name in the space pro-vided at the bottom of the tax return. Then,he or she should add: By (signature), parent(or guardian) for minor child.

Authority of parent or guardian. A par-ent or guardian who signs a return on a child'sbehalf can deal with the IRS on all mattersconnected with the return.

A parent or guardian who does not signthe child's return can only provide informationconcerning the child's return and pay thechild's tax. That parent or guardian is not en-titled to receive information from the IRS orlegally bind the child for a tax liability arisingfrom the return.

A parent or guardian who does not signthe child's return may be designated as thechild's representative by the child or the per-son signing the return on the child's behalf.If designated, a parent or guardian can re-ceive information about the child's return butcannot legally bind the child to a tax liabilityunless authorized to do so by the law of thestate in which the child lives.

Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Dec-laration of Representative, is used to desig-nate a child's representative. See Publication947, Practice Before the IRS and Power of

Attorney, for more information.IRS notice. If you or the child receives a

notice from the IRS concerning the child'sreturn or tax liability, you should immediatelyinform the IRS that the notice concerns achild. The notice will show who to contact.The IRS will try to resolve the matter with theparent(s) or guardian(s) of the child consistentwith their authority.

Child's earnings. The income a child re-ceives for his or her personal services (labor)is the child's, even if, under state law, theparent is entitled to and receives that income.

If the child does not pay the tax due on thisincome, the parent may be liable for the tax.

Child's expenses. Deductions for paymentsthat are due to the child's earnings are thechild's, even if the payments are made by theparent.

Example. You made payments on yourchild's behalf that are deductible as a busi-ness expense and a charitable contribution.You made the payments out of your child'searnings. These items can be deducted onlyon the child's return.

Standard DeductionThe standard deduction for an individual whocan be claimed as a dependent on anotherperson's tax return is generally limited to thelarger of:

1) $700, or

2) The individual's earned income plus$250, but not more than the regularstandard deduction (generally $4,400).

However, the standard deduction for adependent who is 65 or older or blind ishigher.

Certain dependents cannot claim any

standard deduction. See Standard Deductionof Zero, later.

Table 2. Table 2 is used to figure the de-pendent's standard deduction.

Example 1. Michael is single, age 15, andnot blind. His parents can claim him as a de-pendent on their tax return. He has taxableinterest income of $800 and wages of $150.He enters his earned income plus $250($400), on line 1 of Table 2. On line 3, heenters $700, the larger of $400 and $700.Michael enters $4,400 on line 4. On line 5a,he enters $700, the smaller of $700 and$4,400. His standard deduction is $700.

Example 2. Judy, a full-time student, is

single, age 22, and not blind. Her parents canclaim her as a dependent on their tax return.She has dividend income of $275 and wagesof $2,500. She enters her earned income plus$250 ($2,750) on line 1 of Table 2. On line3, she enters $2,750, the larger of $2,750 and$700. She enters $4,400 on line 4. On line5a, she enters $2,750 (the smaller of $2,750and $4,400) as her standard deduction.

Example 3. Amy, who is single, isclaimed as a dependent on her parents' taxreturn. She is 18 and blind. She has taxableinterest income of $1,000 and wages of$2,000. She enters her earned income plus$250 ($2,250) on line 1 of Table 2. She enters$2,250 (the larger of $2,250 and $700) on line3, $4,400 on line 4, and $2,250 (the smallerof $2,250 and $4,400) on line 5a. BecauseAmy is blind, she checks the box for blindnessand enters 1 in the box at the top of Table2. She enters $1,100 on line 5b (number inthe box x $1,100). Her standard deduction online 5c is $3,350 ($2,250 + $1,100).

Standard Deductionof ZeroThe standard deduction for the following de-pendents is zero.

1) A married dependent filing a separatereturn whose spouse itemizes de-ductions.

Filled-in Example 3 for JoeFiling Requirement Worksheet

for DependentsWho Are 65 or Older

and/or Blind

1. Enter dependent's earned income plus$250 ........................................................ $2,750


amount .................................................... $2,7504. Enter the appropriate amount from the

following table ......................................... $4,400

Marital Status AmountSingle $4,400Married $3,675

5. Compare lines 3 and 4. Enter the smalleramount .................................................... $2,750

6. Enter the amount from the following tablethat applies to the dependent ................. $1,100


Either 65 or older or bl ind $1,10065 or older and blind $2,200

MarriedEither 65 or older or blind $85065 or older and blind $1,700

7. Add lines 5 and 6. Enter the total ........... $3,8508. Enter the dependent's gross (total) in-

come ........................................................ $2,900If line 8 is more than line 7, the dependent must filean income tax return.

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2) A dependent who files a return for a pe-riod of less than 12 months due to achange in his or her annual accountingperiod.

3) A nonresident or dual-status alien de-pendent.

Example. Jennifer, who is a dependentof her parents, is entitled to file a joint returnwith her husband. However, her husbandelects to file a separate return and itemize hisdeductions. Because he itemizes, Jennifer's

standard deduction on her return is zero. Shecan, however, itemize any of her allowabledeductions.

Note. If you are a nonresident or dual-status alien who is married to a U.S. citizenor resident at the end of 2000, you may beable to choose to be treated as a U.S. resi-dent for 2000. See Publication 519, U.S. TaxGuide for Aliens.

You are considered a dual-status alien ifyou were both a nonresident alien and a res-ident alien during the year.

Dependent'sOwn ExemptionA person who can be claimed as a dependenton another taxpayer's return cannot claim hisor her own exemption. This is true even if theother taxpayer does not actually claim theexemption.

Example. James and Barbara have achild, Ben. Ben can be claimed as a de-pendent on their return. He is a full-time col-lege student who works during the summerand must file a tax return. James and Barbaraclaim Ben as a dependent on their tax return.Ben cannot claim his own exemption on hisreturn. This is true even if James andBarbara do not claim Ben as a dependent.

WithholdingFrom WagesEmployers generally withhold federal incometax, social security tax, and Medicare tax froman employee's wages. If the employee claimsexemption from withholding on Form W4,Employee's Withholding Allowance Certif-icate, the employer will not withhold federalincome tax. The exemption from withholdingdoes not apply to social security or Medicaretaxes.

Conditions for exemption from withhold-ing. An employee can claim exemption fromwithholding for 2001 only if he or she meetsboth of the following conditions.

1) For 2000, the employee had a right to arefund of all federal income tax withheldbecause he or she had no tax liability.

2) For 2001, the employee expects a re-fund of all federal income tax withheld

Table 2. Standard Deduction Worksheet for Dependents

Use this worksheet ONLY if someone can claim you (or your spouse, if filing jointly) as adependent.

If you were 65 or older and/or blind, check the correct number of boxes below. Put the totalnumber of boxes checked on line c and go to line 1.

You

Your spouse, if claiming

spouses exemption

Total boxes checked

65 or older Blind

65 or older Blind

1. Enter your earned income (defined below) plus $250. If none, goon to line 3.

2. Minimum amount.

3. Compare lines 1 and 2. Enter the larger of the two amounts here.

Enter on line 4 the amount shown below for your filing status.4.

Single$4,400 Married filing separate return$3,675 Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) with dependent

child$7,350 Head of household$6,450

Standard deduction.5.Compare lines 3 and 4. Enter the smaller amount here. If under 65and not blind, stop here. This is your standard deduction.Otherwise, go on to line 5b.If 65 or older or blind, multiply $1,100 ($850 if married or qualifyingwidow(er) with dependent child) by the number in box c above.Enter the result here.Add lines 5a and 5b. This is your standard deduction for 2000.

a.

b.

c.

Earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, professional fees, and other compensationreceived for personal services you performed. It also includes any amount received as ascholarship that you must include in income.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5a.

5b.

5c.

$700

a.

b.

c.

because he or she expects to have notax liability.

Dependents. An employee who is a de-pendent ordinarily cannot claim exemptionfrom withholding if both of the following aretrue.

1) The employee's total income will bemore than the minimum standard de-duction amount, which is $700 for 2000.(This amount may be higher for 2001.)

2) The employee's unearned (investment-type) income will be more than $250.

Exceptions. An employee who is 65 orolder or blind, or who will claim adjustmentsto income, itemized deductions, or tax creditson his or her 2001 tax return, may be able toclaim exemption from withholding even if the

employee is a dependent. See the dis-cussions in chapter 1 of Publication 505, TaxWithholding and Estimated Tax, under Ex-emption From Withholding for more informa-tion.

Example. Guy is 17 and a student. Dur-ing the summer he works part time at a gro-cery store. He expects to earn about $1,000this year. He also worked at the store last

summer and received a refund of all hiswithheld income tax because he did not havea tax liability. The only other income he ex-

pects during the year is $275 interest on asavings account. He expects to be claimedas a dependent on his parents' tax return.

Guy is not blind and will not claim adjust-ments to income, itemized deductions, or taxcredits on his return. He cannot claim ex-emption from withholding when he fills outForm W4 because his parents will be ableto claim him as a dependent, his total incomewill be more than the minimum standard de-duction amount, and his unearned incomewill be more than $250.

Claiming exemption from withholding. Anemployee who meets both conditions de-scribed earlier under Conditions for ex-emption from withholding, must write EX-

EMPT in the space provided on Form W4.The employee must complete the rest of theform and give it to his or her employer.

Renewing an exemption from withholding.An exemption from withholding is good foronly one year. An employee must file a newForm W4 by February 15 each year to con-tinue the exemption.

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Part 2. Tax onInvestment Incomeof Child Under 14Terms you may need to know (seeGlossary):

Adjusted gross incomeAdjustments to income

Alternative minimum taxCapital gain distributionDependentEarned incomeFiling statusGross incomeInvestment incomeItemized deductionsNet capital gainNet investment incomeStandard deductionTax yearTaxable incomeUnearned income

Two special rules apply to the tax on certaininvestment income of a child under age 14.

1) If the child's interest, dividends, andother investment income total more than$1,400, part of that income may be taxedat the parent's tax rate instead of thechild's tax rate. (See Tax for ChildrenUnder Age 14 Who Have Investment In-come of More Than $1,400, later.)

2) The child's parent may be able to chooseto include the child's interest and divi-dend income (including capital gain dis-tributions) on the parent's return ratherthan file a return for the child. (See Par-ent's Election To Report Child's Interestand Dividends, later.)

For these rules, the term child includes

a legally adopted child and a stepchild. Theserules apply whether or not the child is a de-pendent.

These rules do notapply if:

1) The child is not required to file a tax re-turn (see Filing Requirementsin Part 1),or

2) Neither of the child's parents were livingat the end of the tax year.

Which Parent'sReturn To UseIf a child's parents are married to each otherand file a joint return, use the joint return tofigure the tax on the investment income of achild under 14. For parents who do not file a

joint return, the following discussions explainwhich parent's tax return must be used tofigure the tax. Only the parent whose tax re-turn is used can make the election describedunder Parent's Election To Report Child's In-terest and Dividends. The tax rate and otherreturn information from that parent's returnare used to compute the child's tax as ex-plained later under Tax for Children UnderAge 14 Who Have Investment Income ofMore Than $1,400.

Parents are married. If the child's parentsfile separate returns, use the return of theparent with the greater taxable income.

Parents not living together. If the child'sparents are married to each other but not liv-ing together, and the parent with whom thechild lives (the custodial parent) is consideredunmarried, use the return of the custodialparent. If the custodial parent is not consid-ered unmarried, use the return of the parentwith the greater taxable income.

For an explanation of when a marriedperson living apart from his or her spouse isconsidered unmarried, see Head of House-holdin Publication 501.

Parents are divorced. If the child's parentsare divorced or legally separated, and theparent who had custody of the child for thegreater part of the year (the custodial parent)has not remarried, use the return of the cus-todial parent.

Custodial parent remarried. If the cus-todial parent has remarried, the stepparent(rather than the noncustodial parent) istreated as the child's other parent. Therefore,if the custodial parent and the stepparent filea joint return, use that joint return. Do not usethe return of the noncustodial parent.

If the custodial parent and the stepparentare married, but file separate returns, use thereturn of the one with the greater taxable in-come. If the custodial parent and the

stepparent are married but not living together,the earlier discussion under Parents not livingtogetherapplies.

Parents never married. If a child's parentsdid not marry each other, but lived togetherall year, use the return of the parent with thegreater taxable income. If the parents did notlive together all year, the rules explainedearlier under Parents are divorcedapply.

Widowed parent remarried. If a widow orwidower remarries, the new spouse is treatedas the child's other parent. The rules ex-plained earlier under Custodial parent remar-riedapply.

Parent's ElectionTo Report Child'sInterest and Dividends

You may be able to elect to include yourchild's interest and dividend income (includingcapital gain distributions) on your tax return.If you do, your child will not have to file areturn.

You can make this election for 2000 onlyif allthe following conditions are met.

1) Your child was under age 14 on January1, 2001.

2) Your child is required to file a return for2000 unless you make this election.

3) Your child had income only from interestand dividends (including capital gaindistributions and Alaska PermanentFund dividends).

4) The dividend and interest income wasless than $7,000.

5) No estimated tax payments were madefor 2000 and no 1999 overpayment wasapplied to 2000 under your child's nameand social security number.

6) No federal income tax was taken out ofyour child's income under the backupwithholding rules.

7) You are the parent whose return mustbe used when applying the special taxrules for children under 14. (See WhichParent's Return To Use, earlier.)

These conditions are also shown in Figure 1.

How to make the election. Make theelection by attaching Form 8814 to your Form

1040 or Form 1040NR. Attach a separateForm 8814 for each child for whom you makethe election. You can make the election forone or more children and not for others.

If you file Form 8814, you cannot file Form1040A or Form 1040EZ.

Effect of Makingthe ElectionThe federal income tax on your child's incomemay be more if you make the Form 8814election rather than file a return for the child.

Rates may be higher. If you use Form 8814,the child's income may be taxed at a higherrate on your return than it would be on the

child's own return.

Deductions you cannot take. By makingthe Form 8814 election, you cannot take anyof the following deductions that the childwould be entitled to on his or her return.

1) The higher standard deduction for ablind child.

2) The deduction for a penalty on an earlywithdrawal of your child's savings.

3) Itemized deductions (such as your child'sinvestment expenses or charitable con-tributions).

Deductible investment interest. If you useForm 8814, your child's investment income isconsidered your investment income. To figurethe limit on your deductible investment inter-est, add the investment income to yours.However, if your child received capital gaindistributions or Alaska Permanent Fund divi-dends, see chapter 3 of Publication 550, In-vestment Income and Expenses, for informa-tion about how to figure the limit.

Alternative minimum tax. If your child re-ceived tax-exempt interest from a private ac-tivity bond, you must determine if that interestis a tax preference item for alternative mini-mum tax (AMT) purposes. If it is, you mustinclude it with your own tax preference itemswhen figuring your AMT. For more informa-tion, get the instructions for Form 6251, Al-

ternative Minimum TaxIndividuals.

Reduced deductions or credits. If you useForm 8814, your increased adjusted grossincome may reduce certain deductions orcredits on your return, including the following.

1) Deduction for contributions to a tradi-tional individual retirement arrangement(IRA).

2) Deduction for student loan interest.

3) Itemized deductions for medical ex-penses, casualty and theft losses, andcertain miscellaneous expenses.

4) Total itemized deductions.

Page 6


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5) Personal exemptions.

6) Credit for child and dependent care ex-penses.

7) Child tax credit.

8) Education tax credits.

9) Earned income credit.

Penalty for underpayment of estimatedtax. If you make this election for 2000 anddid not have enough tax withheld or pay

enough estimated tax to cover the tax youowe, you may be subject to a penalty. If youplan to make this election for 2001, you mayneed to increase your federal income taxwithholding or your estimated tax paymentsto avoid the penalty. Get Publication 505 formore information.

Figuring Child's IncomeUse Part Iof Form 8814 to figure your child'sinterest and dividend income to report on yourreturn. Only the amount over $1,400 is addedto your income. This amount is shown on line6 of Form 8814. Include this amount on line21 of Form 1040 or Form 1040NR. In thespace next to line 21, write Form 8814. If

you file more than one Form 8814, include thetotal amounts from line 6 of all your Forms8814 on line 21.

Capital gain distributions. Enter on line 3of Form 8814 any capital gain distributionsyour child received. The amount of thesedistributions that is added to your incomemust be reported on Schedule D (Form 1040)or, if you are not required to file Schedule D,on line 13 of Form 1040. You do not includeit on line 6 of Form 8814 or on l ine 21 of Form1040. The amount of the distributions that isadded to your income is the amount over theallocable part of $1,400.

Use the following worksheet to figurethe amount to report as capital gain

distributions on Schedule D or line 13of Form 1040 and the amount to report onForm 8814, line 6.

On the dotted line next to line 6, Form8814, write CGD and the amount from line6 of this worksheet. On the dotted line nextto line 13, Schedule D, or line 13, Form 1040,write Form 8814 and the amount from line6 of this worksheet.

28% rate gain. If any of the child's capitalgain distributions are reported on Form1099DIV as 28% rate gain, you must deter-mine how much to also include on ScheduleD, line 13, column (g). Multiply the child'scapital gain distribution included on line 13,column (f) by a fraction. The numerator is thepart of the child's total capital gain distribution

Figure 1. Can You Include Your Childs Income On Your TaxReturn?

Start Here

Was your child under age 14 onJanuary 1, 2001?

No

Yes

Is your child required to file a tax return in2000 if you do not make this election?

Yes

Was the childs only income interest anddividends (including capital gaindistributions and Alaska Permanent Funddividends)?

Yes

Was the childs income less than$7,000?

Yes

Did the child make any estimated taxpayments for 2000?

No

Did the child have an overpayment of taxon his or her 1999 return applied to the2000 estimated tax?

No

Was any federal income tax withheld fromthe childs income (backup withholding)?

No

Are you the parent whose return must beused?*

Yes

You can include your childs income onyour tax return by completing Form 8814and attaching it to your return. If you do,your child is not required to file a return.

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

You cannot includeyour childs incomeon your return.

*See Which Parents Return To Use

Worksheet for Child'sCapital Gain Distributions(Keep for your records)

1. Enter amount from Form 8814, line 3 ..2. Enter amount from Form 8814, line 4 ..3. Divide line 1 by line 2 ...........................4. Base amount ......................................... $1,4005. Subtract line 4 from line 2 .....................6. Multiply line 5 by the decimal on line 3.

Enter the result here and on ScheduleD, line 13, column (f), or on line 13 ofForm 1040 .............................................

7. Subtract line 6 from line 5. Enter theresult here and on Form 8814, line 6 ...

that is 28% rate gain. The denominator is thechild's total capital gain distribution.

Unrecaptured section 1250 gain. If anyof the child's capital gain distributions are re-ported on Form 1099DIV as unrecapturedsection 1250 gain, you must determine howmuch to include on line 11 of theUnrecaptured Section 1250 Gain Worksheetfor line 25 of Schedule D, in the instructions.Multiply the child's capital gain distribution

included on line 13, column (f) by a fraction.The numerator is the part of the child's totalcapital gain distribution that is unrecapturedsection 1250 gain. The denominator is thechild's total capital gain distribution.

Section 1202 gain. If any of the child'scapital gain distributions are reported as sec-tion 1202 gain (gain on qualified small busi-ness stock) on Form 1099DIV, part or all ofthat gain may be eligible for the section 1202

Page 7


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exclusion. (For information about the exclu-sion, see the instructions for Schedule D andchapter 4 of Publication 550.) To figure thatpart, multiply the child's capital gain distribu-tion included on line 13, column (f) by a frac-tion. The numerator is the part of the child'stotal capital gain distribution that is section1202 gain. The denominator is the child'stotal capital gain distribution. Your section1202 exclusion is generally 50% of the result,but may be subject to a limit. See the in-structions for Schedule D for information onhow to report the exclusion amount.

Example. Fred is 6 years old. In 2000,he received dividend income of $1,600, whichincluded a $320 capital gain distribution froma mutual fund. (None of the distributions werereported on Form 1099DIV as 28% gain,unrecaptured section 1250 gain, or section1202 gain.) He has no other income and isnot subject to backup withholding. No esti-mated tax payments were made under hisname and social security number.

Fred's parents elect to include Fred's in-come on their tax return instead of filing areturn for him. They enter $1,280 on line 2and $320 on line 3, Form 8814.

$200 of Fred's income must be includedas income on his parents' tax return ($1,600gross income minus $1,400). They figure theamount to report on line 13 of their ScheduleD and the amount to report on line 6, Form8814, as follows.

On Form 8814, Fred's parents enter $160 online 6 and write CGD$40 on the dotted linenext to line 6. They include the $160 on line21 of their Form 1040 and write Form8814$160 on the dotted line next to thetotal.

On Schedule D, they include $40 on line13, column (f) and write Form 8814$40 onthe dotted line next to this line.

Figuring Additional TaxUse Part IIof Form 8814 to figure the tax onthe $1,400 of your child's interest and divi-dends that you do not include in your income.This tax is added to the tax figured on yourincome.

This additional tax is the smallerof:

1) 15% (your child's gross income $700), or

2) $105.

Include the amount from line 9 of all yourForms 8814 in the total on line 40, Form1040, or line 39, Form 1040NR. Check boxa on Form 1040, line 40, or Form 1040NR,line 39.

Illustrated ExampleDavid and Linda Parks are married and willfile separate tax returns for 2000. Their onlychild, Philip, is 8. Philip received a Form1099INT showing $3,200 taxable interestincome and a Form 1099DIV showing $300ordinary dividends. His parents decide to in-clude that income on one of their returns sothey will not have to file a return for Philip.

First, David and Linda each figure theirtaxable income (Form 1040, line 39) withoutregard to Philip's income. David's taxable in-

come is $41,700 and Linda's is $59,300. Be-cause her taxable income is greater, Lindacan elect to include Philip's income on herreturn.

On Form 8814, Linda enters her nameand social security number, then Philip'sname and social security number. She entersPhilip's taxable interest income, $3,200, online 1a. Philip had no tax-exempt interest in-come, so she leaves line 1b blank. Linda en-ters Philip's ordinary dividends, $300, on line2. Philip did not have any capital gain distri-butions, so she leaves line 3 blank.

Linda adds lines 1a and 2 and enters theresult, $3,500, on line 4. From that amountshe subtracts the $1,400 base amount shownon line 5 and enters the result, $2,100, on line

6. This is the part of Philip's income that Lindamust add to her income.

Linda includes the $2,100 in the total online 21 of her Form 1040 and in the spacenext to that line writes Form 8814$2,100.Adding that amount to her income increaseseach of the amounts on lines 22, 33, 34, 37,and 39 of her Form 1040 by $2,100. Lindais not claiming any deductions or credits thatare affected by the increase to her income.Therefore, her revised taxable income on line39 is $61,400 ($59,300 + $2,100).

On Form 8814, Linda subtracts the $700shown on line 7 from the $3,500 on line 4 andenters the result, $2,800, on line 8. Becausethat amount is not less than $700, she enters$105 on line 9. This is the tax on the first

$1,400 of Philip's income, which Linda did nothave to add to her income. She must add thisadditional tax to the tax figured on her revisedtaxable income.

The tax on her $61,400 revised taxableincome is $14,602. She adds $105, enters the$14,707 total on line 40 of Form 1040, andchecks box a.

Linda attaches Form 8814 to her Form1040.

Tax for Children UnderAge 14 Who Have

Investment Incomeof More Than $1,400

Part of a child's 2000 investment income maybe subject to tax at the parent's tax rate if:

1) The child was under age 14 on January1, 2001,

2) The child's investment income was morethan $1,400, and

3) The child is required to file a tax returnfor 2000.

Figure 2illustrates these requirements.If the parent does not or cannot choose to

include the child's income on the parent's re-turn, figure the child's tax on Form 8615.Attach the form to the child's Form 1040,Form 1040A, or Form 1040NR.

On Form 8615, enter the child's name andsocial security number and the parent's nameand social security number in the spacesprovided. (If the parents filed a joint return,enter the name and social security numberlisted first on the joint return.) Check the boxfor the parent's filing status. Then figure thechild's tax on Form 8615 in these steps.

1. Figure the child's net investment income.

2. Figure a tentative tax on the net investmentincome based on the parent's tax rate.

3. Figure the child's tax.

Parent's ReturnSee Which Parent's Return To Use, earlier,for a discussion of which parent's return in-formation must be used on Form 8615.

Different tax years. If the parent and thechild do not have the same tax year, completeForm 8615 using the information on the par-ent's return for the tax year that ends in thechild's tax year.

Example. Kimberly must use her moth-er's tax and taxable income to complete herForm 8615 for calendar year 2000 (January1 December 31). Kimberly's mother files hertax return on a fiscal year basis (July 1 June30). Kimberly must use the information on hermother's return for the tax year ending June30, 2000, to complete her 2000 Form 8615.

Estimated information. If the informationneeded from the parent's return is not knownby the time the child's return is due (usuallyApril 15), you can file the return using esti-mates.

You can use any reasonable estimate.This includes using information from lastyear's return. If you use an estimated amounton Form 8615, write Estimated on the linenext to the amount.

When you get the correct information, filean amended return on Form 1040X,Amended U.S. Individual Income TaxReturn.

Extension of time to file. Instead of usingestimates, you may be able to get an auto-matic 4-month extension of time to file. To getthe extension, you must either:

File Form 4868, Application for AutomaticExtension of Time To File U.S. IndividualIncome Tax Return, or

Pay at least part of the tax you expect thechild to owe by Internet or phone usinga credit card or direct debit.

Calendar year taxpayers must file Form4868 or make an electronic payment by April16, 2001. If you have an extension, you mustfile the child's return by August 15, 2001.

An extension of time to file is not an ex-tension of time to pay. You must make anaccurate estimate of the tax for 2000. If thechild cannot pay the full amount due, you canstill get the extension. The child will owe in-terest on the unpaid amount. See Form 4868and its instructions.

Filled-in Example for FredWorksheet for Child's

Capital Gain Distributions1. Enter amount from Form 8814, line 3 .. $3202. Enter amount from Form 8814, line 4 .. $1,6003. Divide line 1 by line 2 ........................... .204. Base amount ......................................... $1,4005. Subtract line 4 from line 2 ..................... $2006. Multiply line 5 by the decimal on line 3.

Enter the result here and on ScheduleD, line 13, column (f), or on line 13 ofForm 1040 ............................................. $40

7. Subtract line 6 from line 5. Enter the

result here and on Form 8814, line 6 ... $160

Page 8


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Proofas

of

Octob

er11,20

00

(sub

ject t

ochan

ge)

Linda Parks

Philip Parks

1 1 1 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1

3,200

30 0

3,500

2,10 0

2,800

10 5 0 0

OMB No. 1545-1128Parents Election To ReportChilds Interest and Dividends

Form 8814 See instructions below and on back.

Department of the TreasuryInternal Revenue Service

AttachmentSequence No. 40 Attach to parents Form 1040 or Form 1040NR.

How To Make the Election. To make theelection, complete and attach Form(s) 8814to your tax return and file your return bythe due date (including extensions). Aseparate Form 8814 must be filed for eachchild whose income you choose to report.

Had no estimated tax payments for 2000(including any overpayment of tax from hisor her 1999 return applied to 2000estimated tax).

General InstructionsPurpose of Form. Use this form if youelect to report your childs income on yourreturn. If you do, your child will not have tofile a return. You can make this election if

your child meets all of the followingconditions.

Had no Federal income tax withheldfrom his or her income.

Was under age 14 on January 1, 2001.

You must also qualify. See Parents WhoQualify To Make the Election below.

Had income only from interest anddividends, including Alaska PermanentFund dividends.

Had gross income for 2000 that was lessthan $7,000.

Your social security numberName(s) shown on your return

Childs social security numberChilds name (first, initial, and last)

If more than one Form 8814 is attached, check here

Childs Interest and Dividends To Report on Your Return

Enter your childs taxable interest. If this amount is different from the amounts shown on thechilds Forms 1099-INT and 1099-OID, see the instructions

1a1a

b Enter your childs tax-exempt interest. Do not include thisamount on line 1a 1b

2 Enter your childs ordinary dividends, including any Alaska Permanent Fund dividends. If yourchild received any ordinary dividends as a nominee, see the instructions

Enter your childs capital gain distributions. If your child received any capital gain distributions

as a nominee, see the instructionsAdd lines 1a, 2, and 3. If the total is $1,400 or less, skip lines 5 and 6 and go to line 7. If thetotal is $7,000 or more, do not file this form. Your child must file his or her own return to reportthe income

3

1,400 00

4

Base amount

4

5

Subtract line 5 from line 4. If you checked the box on line C above or if you entered an amounton line 3, see the instructions. Also, include this amount in the total on Form 1040, line 21, orForm 1040NR, line 21. In the space next to line 21, enter Form 8814 and show the amount.Go to line 7 below 6

Tax on the First $1,400 of Childs Interest and Dividends

700 00Amount not taxed

9

77

Subtract line 7 from line 4. If the result is zero or less, enter -0-

No. Enter $105 here and see the Note below.

Tax. Is the amount on line 8 less than $700?

8 8

Yes. Multiply line 8 by 15% (.15). Enter the result here and see the Note below.

Note: If you checked the box on line C above, see the instructions. Otherwise, include the amount from line 9 in the tax you enteron Form 1040, line 40, or Form 1040NR, line 39. Be sure to check box aon Form 1040, line 40, or Form 1040NR, line 39.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see back of form. Form 8814 (2000)Cat. No. 10750J

A B

C

Is required to file a 2000 return.

(99)

3

6

2

5

Part I

Part II

9

Parents Who Qualify To Make theElection. You qualify to make this electionif you file Form 1040 or Form 1040NR andany of the following apply.

You are filing a joint return for 2000 withthe childs other parent.

You were unmarried, treated as

unmarried for Federal income taxpurposes, or separated from the childsother parent by a divorce or separatemaintenance decree. You must have hadcustody of your child for most of the year(you were the custodial parent). If you werethe custodial parent and you remarried,you may make the election on a jointreturn with your new spouse. But if youand your new spouse do not file a jointreturn, you qualify to make the electiononly if you had higher taxable income thanyour new spouse.

Caution: The Federal income tax on your childs income, including capital gain distributions, may be less if you file a separate taxreturn for the child instead of making this election. This is because you cannot take certain tax benefits that your child could takeon his or her own return. For details, seeTax Benefits You May Not Takeon the back.

You and the childs other parent weremarried to each other but file separate

returns for 2000 and you had the highertaxable income. If you do not know if youhad the higher taxable income, see Pub.929, Tax Rules for Children andDependents.

(continued)

2000

Page 9


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Parent's return information not available.If a child cannot get the required informationabout his or her parent's tax return, the child(or the child's legal representative) can re-quest the necessary information from theInternal Revenue Service (IRS).

How to request. After the end of the taxyear, send a signed, written request for theinformation to the Internal Revenue ServiceCenter where the parent's return will be filed.(The IRS cannot process a request receivedbefore the end of the tax year.)

TIPYou should also consider getting anextension of time to file the child's re-turn, because there may be a delay

in getting the requested information.

The request must contain all of the fol-lowing.

1) A statement that you are making the re-quest to comply with section 1(g) of theInternal Revenue Code and that youhave tried to get the information from theparent.

2) Proof the child is under 14 years of age

(for example, a copy of the child's birthcertificate).

3) Evidence the child has more than $1,400of unearned income (for example, a copyof the child's prior year tax return orcopies of Forms 1099 for the currentyear).

4) The name, address, social securitynumber (if known), and filing status (ifknown) of the parent whose informationis to be shown on Form 8615.

A child's legal representative making therequest should include a copy of his or herPower of Attorney, such as Form 2848, or

proof of legal guardianship.

Part I. FiguringNet Investment IncomeThe first step in figuring a child's tax usingForm 8615 is to figure the child's net invest-ment income. To do that, use Part Iof Form8615. For an example, see the Illustrated PartI of Form 8615, later.

Line 1 (investment income). If the child hadno earned income, enter the adjusted grossincome shown on the child's return. Adjustedgross income is shown on line 34 of Form

1040; line 20 of Form 1040A; or line 34 ofForm 1040NR. Form 1040EZ cannot be usedif Form 8615 must be filed.

If the child had earned income, figure theamount to enter on line 1 of Form 8615 byusing the worksheet in the instructions for theform.

However, use the following worksheetif the child has excluded any foreignearned income or deducted a loss

from self-employment or a net operating lossfrom another year.

Investment income defined. Invest-ment income is generally all income otherthan salaries, wages, and other amounts re-ceived as pay for work actually done. It in-cludes taxable interest, dividends, capital

gains, the taxable part of social security andpension payments, and certain distributionsfrom trusts. Investment income includesamounts produced by assets the child ob-tained with earned income (such as intereston a savings account into which the childdeposited wages).

Nontaxable income. For this purpose,investment income includes only amounts thechild must include in total income. Nontaxable

investment income, such as tax-exempt in-terest and the nontaxable part of social se-curity and pension payments, is not included.

Capital loss. A child's capital losses aretaken into account in figuring the child's in-vestment income. Capital losses are first ap-plied against capital gains. If the capitallosses are more than the capital gains, thedifference (up to $3,000) is subtracted fromthe child's interest, dividends (including capi-tal gain distributions), and other investmentincome. Any difference over $3,000 is carriedto the next year.

Income from property received as agift. A child's investment income includes allincome produced by property belonging to thechild. This is true even if the property wastransferred to the child, regardless of whenthe property was transferred or purchased orwho transferred it.

A child's investment income includes in-come produced by property given as a gift tothe child. This includes gifts to the child fromgrandparents or any other person and giftsmade under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act.

Example. Amanda Black, 13, receivedthe following income:

Dividends$600

Wages$2,100

Taxable interest$1,200

Tax-exempt interest$100

Capital gains$300

Capital losses($200)

The dividends were on stock given to her byher grandparents.

Alternate Worksheet for Line 1 of Form 8615

A. Enter the amount from the child's Form1040, line 22, or Form 1040NR, line 23...............................................................

B. Enter the total of any net loss fromself-employment, any net operatingloss deduction, any foreign earned in-come exclusion, and any foreign hous-ing exclusion from the child's Form1040 or Form 1040NR .........................

C. Add line A and line B and enter thetotal. Treat the amount on line B aspositive (greater than zero) ..................

D. Enter the child's earned income plusany deduction the child claims on line30 of Form 1040 or Form 1040NR.Generally, the child's earned income isthe total of the amounts reported onForm 1040, lines 7, 12, and 18 (if line12 or 18 is a loss, use zero) or Form1040NR, lines 8, 13, and 19 (if line 13or 19 is a loss, use zero) .................. ...

E. Subtract line D from line C. Enter theresult here and on Form 8615, line 1 ..

Figure 2. Do You Have To Use Form 8615 To Figure YourChilds Tax?

Was the child under age 14 on January 1, 2001?

Is the child required to file a tax return for 2000?

Was the childs investment income more than $1,400?

Use Form 8615 to figure the child s tax. Attach it to thechilds return.

Note:If the childs parent* chooses to report the childsincome by filing Form 8814, the child is not required to filea tax return. Do not use Form 8615. (See Parents ElectionTo Report Childs Interest and Dividends.)

Start Here

*See Which Parents Return To Use

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Do not useForm 8615 tofigure thechilds tax.

Page 10


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Amanda's investment income is $1,900.This is the total of the dividends ($600), tax-able interest ($1,200), and capital gains re-duced by capital losses ($300 $200 =$100). Her wages are earned (not invest-ment) income because they are received forwork actually done. Her tax-exempt interestis not included because it is nontaxable.

Trust income. If a child is the beneficiaryof a trust, distributions of taxable interest,dividends, capital gains, and other investmentincome from the trust are investment incometo the child.

Adjustment to income. In figuring theamount to enter on line 1, the child's invest-ment income is reduced by any penalty on theearly withdrawal of savings.

Line 2 (deductions). If the child does notitemize deductions on Schedule A (Form1040 or Form 1040NR), enter $1,400 on line2.

If the child does itemize deductions, enteron line 2 the larger of:

1) $700 plus the child's itemized deductionsthat are directly connected with the pro-duction of the investment income, or

2) $1,400.

Directly connected. Itemized deductionsare directly connected with the production ofinvestment income if they are for expensespaid to produce or collect taxable income orto manage, conserve, or maintain propertyheld for producing income. These expensesinclude custodian fees and service charges,service fees to collect taxable interest anddividends, and certain investment counselfees.

These expenses are added to certainother miscellaneous itemized deductions onSchedule A (Form 1040). Only the amountgreater than 2% of the child's adjusted grossincome can be deducted. See Publication529, Miscellaneous Deductions, for more in-formation.

Example 1. Roger, 12, has investmentincome of $8,000, no other income, no ad-

justments to income, and itemized deductionsof $300 (net of the 2%-of-adjusted-gross- in-come limit) that are directly connected withhis investment income. His adjusted grossincome is $8,000, which is entered on line 1.Line 2 is $1,400 because that is more thanthe sum of $700 and his directly-connecteditemized deductions of $300.

Example 2. Eleanor, 8, has investmentincome of $16,000 and an early withdrawalpenalty of $100. She has no other income.

She has itemized deductions of $1,050 (netof the 2%-adjusted-gross-income limit) thatare directly connected with the production ofher investment income. Her adjusted grossincome, entered on line 1, is $15,900($16,000 $100). Line 2 is $1,750. This is thelarger of:

1) $700 plus the $1,050 of directly con-nected itemized deductions, or

2) $1,400.

Line 3. If line 2 equals or is more than line1, do not complete the rest of the form.However, you must still attach Form 8615 to

the child's tax return. Figure the tax on thechild's taxable income in the normal manner.

Line 4 (child's taxable income). Enter online 4 the child's taxable income from Form1040, line 39; Form 1040A, line 25; or Form1040NR, line 38.

Line 5 (net investment income). A child'snet investment income cannot be more thanhis or her taxable income. Enter on line 5 thesmaller of line 3 or line 4 of Form 8615. Thisis the child's net investment income.

Part II. FiguringTentative TaxAt Parent's Tax RateThe next step in completing Form 8615 is tofigure a tentative tax on the child's net in-vestment income at the parent's tax rate. Thetentative tax is the difference between the taxon the parent's taxable income figured withthe child's net investment income and the taxfigured without it.

When figuring the tentative tax, do not re-figure any of the exclusions, deductions, or

credits on the parent's return because of thechild's net investment income. For example,do not refigure the medical expense de-duction.

Figure the tentative tax on lines 6 through13. For an example, see Illustrated Part II ofForm 8615.

Line 6 (parent's taxable income). Enter online 6 the amount from the parent's Form1040, line 39; Form 1040A, line 25; Form1040EZ, line 6; TeleFile Tax Record, line K;Form 1040NR, line 38; or Form 1040NREZ,line 14. If the parent's taxable income is lessthan zero, enter zero on line 6.

TIPYou may be able to skip lines 7through 16 of Form 8615. See theForm 8615 instructions for line 6 for

details. If you skip those lines, enter theamount from line 17 on line 18 and write NoEffecton the dotted line next to line 18.

Line 7 (net investment income of otherchildren). If the tax return information of theparent is also used on any other child's Form8615, enter on line 7 the total of the amountsfrom line 5 of all the other children's Forms8615. Do not include the amount from line 5of the Form 8615 being completed.

Example. Paul and Jane Persimmonhave three children, Sharon, Jerry, and Mike,

who must attach Form 8615 to their tax re-turns. The children's net investment incomeamounts on line 5 of their Forms 8615 are:

Sharon $800

Jerry $600

Mike $1,000

Line 7 of Sharon's Form 8615 would show$1,600, the total of the amounts on line 5 ofJerry's and Mike's Forms 8615.

Line 7 of Jerry's Form 8615 would show$1,800 ($800 + $1,000).

Line 7 of Mike's Form 8615 would show$1,400 ($800 + $600).

Other children's information not avail-able. If the net investment income of theother children is not available when the returnis due, either file the return using estimatesor get an extension of time to file. Estimatesand extensions are discussed earlier underParent's Return.

Line 8 (parent's taxable income plus chil-dren's net investment income). The methodyou will use on line 9 to figure the tax on thisamount depends on whether it includes any

net capital gain. If line 5, 6, or 7 includes netcapital gain, then line 8 also includes netcapital gain.

Net capital gain is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capitalloss. If Schedule D(Form 1040) is required,this is the smaller of the gain on line 16 or thegain on line 17 of Schedule D. If Schedule Dis not required, this is the amount on line 13of Form 1040 or line 10 of Form 1040A.

To figure the tax on line 9 of Form 8615,you will need to know the amounts of netcapital gain included on lines 5, 6, 7, and 8.Use the following discussions to find theseamounts.

Net capital gain on line 5. If the childhas a net capital gain, use the appropriateworksheet below to find the amount of net

capital gain included on line 5.

Use the following worksheet only ifline 2 of the child's Form 8615 is$1,400 and lines 3 and 5 are the

same amount.

Use the following worksheet only ifline 2 of the child's Form 8615 is morethan $1,400 and lines 3 and 5 are the

same amount.

Use the following worksheet only ifline 5 of the child's Form 8615 is lessthan line 3.

Line 5 Worksheet #1

A. Enter the child's net capital gain ..............

B. Enter the amount from line 1 of the child'sForm 8615 ................................................

C. Divide line A by line B (but do not entermore than 1) ...... .................. ................. ....

D. Multiply $1,400 by line C ..........................

E. Subtract line D from line A. Enter the result

here (but do not enter more than theamount on line 5 of Form 8615). This is thenet capital gain included on line 5. ...........

Line 5 Worksheet #2


B. Enter the child's itemized deductions di-rectly connected with the production of thechild's net capital gain ..............................

C. Subtract line B from line A .......................D. Enter the amount from line 1 of the child's

Form 8615 ................................................

E. Divide line A by line D (but do not entermore than 1) .............................................

F. Multiply $700 by line E .............................

G. Subtract line F from line C. Enter the resulthere (but do not enter more than theamount on line 5 of Form 8615). This isthe net capital gain included on line 5. ....

Page 11


12/24

Illustrated Part I of Form 8615

Carlas total income on Form 1040A, line 15,is $5,000. This total includes wages (earnedincome) of $600 reported on line 7. She hasno itemized deductions. Carlas taxableincome on Form 1040A, line 25, is $4,150.Because Carla has earned income, theworksheet in the instructions is used tofigure the amount on line 1 of Form 8615.

Carlas filled-in worksheet and Part I ofher Form 8615, with lines 1 through 5 filled

in, are shown here.Carlas total income of $5,000 (as shown

on line 15 of her Form 1040A) is entered on

line 1 of the worksheet. Her earned incomeof $600 (her wages as shown on line 7 ofher Form 1040A) is entered on line 2 of theworksheet. Line 3 is the result of subtracting$600 from $5,000.

The amount from line 3 of the worksheetis entered on line 1 of Form 8615. Carla didnot itemize deduct ions, so $1,400 is enteredon line 2. Line 3 of Form 8615 is the resultof subtracting $1,400 from $4,400. Carlas

taxable income of $4,150 (as shown on line25 of her Form 1040A) is entered on line 4of Form 8615. The smaller of $3,000 or$4,150 is entered on line 5. This is her netinvestment income.

WorksheetLine 1

1.

2.

3.

5,000

4,400

6 0 0

4,400

1,40 0

3,000

4,1503,000

1 1 1 1

4 5 6 7

0 01 1 1

0 01 2 3

Carla C. Rose

George B. Rose

Enter the amount from thechilds Form 1040, line 22;Form 1040A, line 15; or Form1040NR, line 23, whicheverappliesEnter the childs earned incomeplus any deduction the childclaims on Form 1040, line 30,or Form 1040NR, line 30,

whichever appliesSubtract line 2 from line 1.Enter the result here and onForm 8615, line 1

OMB No. 1545-0998Tax for Children Under Age 14Who Have Investment Income of More Than $1,400Form

8615Department of the TreasuryInternal Revenue Service

AttachmentSequence No. 33

Attach only to the childs Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040NR.

Childs social security numberChilds name shown on return

Parents social security numberParents name (first, initial, and last). Caution: See instructions before completing.

Parents filing st atus (check one):

Childs Net Investment Income

Enter the childs investment income, such as taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and capitalgain distributions. See instructions. If this amount is $1,400 or less, stop; do not file this form

11

If the child did not itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040 or Form 1040NR), enter$1,400. If the child did itemize deductions, see instructions

22

Subtract line 2 from line 1. If the result is zero or less, stop; do not complete the rest of thisform but do attach it to the childs return

33

4

Enter the childs taxable income from Form 1040, line 39; Form 1040A, line 25; or Form 1040NR,line 38

4

Enter the smaller of line 3 or line 45 5

A B

C

Single Marriedfilingjointly Marriedfilingseparately Headofhousehold Qualifying w idow(er)

Part I

(99)

2000 See separate instructions.

Before you begin: If the child, the parent, or any of the parents other children under age 14 received capital gain distributions or farmincome, see Pub. 929, Tax Rules for Children and Dependents. It explains how to figure the child s tax using theCapital Gain Tax Worksheet in the Form 1040 or Form 1040A instructions or Schedule D or J (Form 1040).

Net capital gain on line 6. If the parenthas a net capital gain, its full amount is in-cluded on line 6.

Net capital gain on line 7. The amountof net capital gain included on line 7 is thetotal of the amounts of net capital gain in-cluded on line 5 of the other children's Forms8615. Find the amount for each other childas explained earlier under Net capital gain online 5. (Do not attach the other children's

Forms 8615 to the child's return.)Net capital gain on line 8. The net cap-

ital gain included on line 8 is the sum of thenet capital gains included on lines 5, 6, and7. Do not take into account any net capitalloss that is included on line 5, 6, or 7.

Line 9 (tax on parent's taxable income pluschildren's net investment income). Figurethe tax on the amount on line 8 using the TaxTable, the Tax Rate Schedules, the CapitalGain Tax Worksheet (in the Form 1040,1040A, or 1040NR instructions), or ScheduleD, or J (Form 1040), as follows.

If line 8 does notinclude any net capitalgain, use the Tax Table or Tax RateSchedules to figure this tax. But ifSchedule J, Farm Income Averaging, isused to figure the tax on the parent's re-turn, use it to figure this tax.

If line 8 doesinclude any net capital gain,use the Capital Gain Tax Worksheettofigure this tax unless the child, parent, orany other child has unrecaptured section1250 gain, 28% rate gain, or an amounton Form 4952, line 4e. In that case, useSchedule D. But if Schedule J is used tofigure the tax on the parent's return, useit to figure this tax.

Using the Capital Gain Tax Worksheetfor line 9 tax. If you use the Capital GainTax Worksheet to figure the line 9 tax onForm 8615, complete that worksheet as fol-lows.

1) On line 1, enter the amount from line 8

of Form 8615.

2) On line 2, enter the amount of the netcapital gain included on line 8 of Form8615.

3) Complete lines 3 through 15 followingthe worksheet instructions. (Use theparent's filing status to complete lines 4,5, and 14.)

Enter the amount from line 15 of theCapital Gain Tax Worksheeton line 9 of Form8615 and check the box on that line. Do notattach this worksheet to the child's return.

Using Schedule D for line 9 tax. Yougenerally mustuse Schedule D to figure the

line 9 tax on Form 8615 if the child, parent,or any other child has unrecaptured section1250 gain, 28% rate gain, or an amount onForm 4952, line 4e. If you must use ScheduleD, first complete an actual Schedule Dthrough line 25 for the parent and all theparent's children for whom a Form 8615, thatincludes a net capital gain, is filed. Then fig-ure the tax using Part IV of anotherScheduleD as a worksheet.

Complete this worksheet as follows.

1) On line 19, enter the amount from line 8of Form 8615.

2) On line 20, enter the net capital gain in-cluded on line 8 of Form 8615.

Line 5 Worksheet #3


B. If the child itemized deductions, enter thechild's itemized deductions directly con-nected with the production of the child's

net capital gain .........................................C. Subtract line B from line A .......................

D. If the child can claim his or her own ex-emption, enter $2,800*. Otherwise, enterzero ..........................................................

E. If the child itemized deductions, enter thechild's itemized deductions notdirectlyconnected with the production of thechild's net capital gain. Otherwise, enterthe child's standard deduction .................

F. Add lines D and E ....................................

G. Enter the child's adjusted gross income(line 34 of Form 1040, line 20 of Form1040A, or line 34 of Form 1040NR) ........

H. Divide line A by line G (but do not entermore than 1) .............................................

I. Multiply line F by line H ............................

J. Subtract line I from line C. Enter the resulthere (but do not enter more than theamount on line 5 of Form 8615). This isthe net capital gain included on line 5. ....

* If you enter more than $128,950 on line G, seeDeduction for Exemptions WorksheetLine 38inthe Form 1040 instructions for the amount to enteron line D.

Page 12


13/24

Illustrated Part II of Form 8615

Randy and his sister must each file Form8615. Their parents joint return informationis used on the Forms 8615 of both children.The net investment income on line 5 ofRandys Form 8615 is $2,280. His sister snet investment income is $1,520. Randysparents taxable income is $50,570. Theirtax, from the Tax Table, is $8,461.

Part II of Randys Form 8615, with lines 6through 13 filled in, is shown here.

Randys parents taxable income of$50,570 (from line 39 of Form 1040) isentered on line 6 of Form 8615.

Randys sisters net investment income of$1,520 (from line 5 of her Form 8615) isentered on line 7 of Randys Form 8615. Theamounts on line 5 ($2,280), line 6 ($50,570),and line 7 ($1,520) are added and the totalof $54,370 is entered on line 8.

The tax on $54,370 is found in the TaxTable using the parents joint filing status.The tax, $9,525, is entered on line 9.Randys parents tax of $8,461 (from line 40

of Form 1040) is entered on line 10 and issubtracted from the amount on line 9. Thedifference, $1,064, is entered on line 11.

The amount on line 5 ($2,280) is dividedby the amount on line 12a ($3,800) and theresult, .600, is entered on line 12b.

Randys net investment income on line 5($2,280) is added to his sisters netinvestment income on line 7 ($1,520) andthe total, $3,800, is entered on line 12a.

The amount on line 11 ($1,064) ismultiplied by the amount on line 12b (.600)and the result, $638, is entered on line 13.

This is Randys tentative tax based on hisparents tax rate.

50,570

1,52054,370

9,525

8,461

1,06 4

6 386 0 0

3,800

Tentative Tax Based on the Tax Rate of the Parent Listed on Line A

Enter the parents taxable income from Form 1040, line 39; Form 1040A, line 25; Form 1040EZ,line 6; TeleFile Tax Record, line K; Form 1040NR, line 38; or Form 1040NR-EZ, line 14. If lessthan zero, enter -0-

6

6

Enter the total net investment income, if any, from Forms 8615, line 5, of all other children ofthe parent identified above. Do not include the amount from line 5 above

77

8Add lines 5, 6, and 78

9Enter the tax on line 8 based on the parents filing status. See instructions. If the Capital GainTax Worksheet or Schedule D or J (Form 1040) is used to figure the tax, check here

9

10 Enter the parents tax from Form 1040, line 40; Form 1040A, line 26, minus any alternativeminimum tax; Form 1040EZ, line 10; TeleFile Tax Record, line K; Form 1040NR, line 39; or Form

1040NR-EZ, line 15. If any tax is from Form 4972 or 8814, see instructions. If the Capital GainTax Worksheet or Schedule D or J (Form 1040) was used to figure the tax, check here 10

Subtract line 10 from line 9 and enter the result. If line 7 is blank, also enter this amount on line13 and go to Part III

1111

12aAdd lines 5 and 712a12b .Divide line 5 by line 12a. Enter the result as a decimal (rounded to at least three places)b

Multiply line 11 by line 12b13 13

Part II

Note: If the total of lines 4 and 6 above is not more than $43,850, lines 7 through 16 may nothave to be completed. For details, see the instructions for line 6.

3) On line 21, enter the total of the amountsfrom line 21 of each actual Schedule D.

4) On line 22, subtract line 21 from line 20.

5) Leave line 23 blank.

6) On line 24, enter the total of the followingamounts.

a) The result of multiplying the amountfrom line 24 of the child's actualSchedule D, if any, by a fraction.The numerator (top) of the fractionis the net capital gain included online 5 of the child's Form 8615 (fromthe last line of the appropriate Line5 Worksheet, earlier). The denomi-nator (bottom) of the fraction is thechild's net capital gain (from line Aof the Line 5 Worksheet).

b) The total of the results of multiplyingthe amount from line 24 of eachother child's actual Schedule D, ifany, by a fraction figured the sameway as in (a), above, using amountsfrom the other child's Line 5 Work-

sheet.

c) The amount from line 24 of theparent's actual Schedule D, if any.

7) On line 25, enter the total of the followingamounts.

a) The result of multiplying the amountfrom line 25 of the child's actualSchedule D, if any, by the fractionused in (6)(a), above.

b) The total of the results of multiplyingthe amount from line 25 of eachother child's actual Schedule D, ifany, by the fraction used for theother child in (6)(b), above.

c) The amount from line 25 of theparent's actual Schedule D, if any.

8) Complete lines 26 through 54 followingthe Schedule D instructions. (Use theparent's filing status to complete lines29, 33, and 53.)

Enter the amount from line 54 of the

worksheet on line 9 of Form 8615 and checkthe box on that line. Do not attach this work-sheet to the child's return.

Using Schedule J, Farm Income Aver-aging, for line 9 tax. If Schedule J is used tofigure the tax on the parent's return, use an-otherSchedule J as a worksheet to figure thetax to enter on line 9 of Form 8615. For pur-poses of this worksheet, use information fromthe parent's Schedule J.

Complete this worksheet as follows.

1) On line 1, enter the amount from line 8of Form 8615.

2) On line 2, enter the amount from theparent's Schedule J, line 2.

3) Complete line 3.4) Complete line 4. If line 8 of Form 8615

includes any net capital gain, use theCapital Gain Tax Worksheetto figure thetax amount on this line unless the child,parent, or any other child hasunrecaptured section 1250 gain, 28%rate gain, or an amount on Form 4952,line 4e. In that case, use Schedule D.Follow the earlier instructions under Us-ing the Capital Gain Tax Worksheet forline 9 taxor Using Schedule D for line 9tax, except use the amount on line 3 ofthisworksheet (instead of the amounton line 8 of Form 8615) in item (1) ofthose instructions.

5) On lines 516, enter the amounts fromthe parent's Schedule J, lines 516.

6) Complete line 17.

7) On lines 1821, enter the amounts fromthe parent's Schedule J, lines 1821.

8) Complete line 22.

Enter the amount from line 22 of theworksheet on line 9 of Form 8615 and checkthe box on that line. Do not attach this work-sheet to the child's return.

Line 10 (parent's tax). Enter on line 10 theamount from the parent's Form 1040, line 40;Form 1040A, line 26 (minus any alternativeminimum tax); Form 1040EZ, line 10; TeleFileTax Record, line K; Form 1040NR, line 39;or Form 1040NREZ, line 15.

Lines 12a and 12b (dividing the tentativetax). If line 7 is blank, skip lines 12a and 12band enter the amount from line 11 on line 13.

If an amount is entered on line 7, divide

the tentative tax shown on line 11 among thechildren according to each child's share of thetotal net investment income. This is done onlines 12a, 12b, and 13. Add the amount online 7 to the amount on line 5 and enter thetotal on line 12a. Divide the amount on line 5by the amount on line 12a and enter the re-sult, as a decimal, on line 12b.

Example. In the earlier example underLine 7 (net investment income of other chil-dren), Sharon's Form 8615 shows $1,600 online 7. The amount entered on line 12a is$2,400, the total of the amounts on lines 5and 7 ($800 + $1,600). The decimal on line12b is .333, figured as follows and roundedto three places.

Page 13


14/24

$800$2,400

.333=

Line 13 (child's share of tentative tax). Ifan amount is entered on line 7, multiply line11 by the decimal on line 12b and enter theresult on line 13. If line 7 is blank, enter theamount from line 11 on line 13.

Line 13 is the child's share of the tentativetax.

Part III. Figuringthe Child's TaxThe final step in figuring a child's tax usingForm 8615 is to determine the largerof:

1) The total of:

a) The child's share of the tentative taxbased on the parent's tax rate, plus

b) The tax on the child's taxable in-come in excess of net investmentincome, figured at the child's taxrate, or

2) The tax on the child's taxable income,figured at the child's tax rate.

This is the child's tax. It is figured on lines 14through 18 of Form 8615.

Line 14 (child's taxable income in excessof net investment income). Subtract line 5from line 4 and enter the difference on line14. If lines 4 and 5 are the same, enter zeroon lines 14 and 15 and enter the amount fromline 13 on line 16.

The method you will use on line 15 to fig-ure the tax on the amount on line 14 dependson whether line 14 includes any net capitalgain.

Net capital gain on line 14. To figure thetax on line 15, you will need to know theamount of net capital gain included on line14. To find that amount, subtract the net

capital gain included on line 5 (the last lineof the appropriate Line 5 Worksheet, earlier)from the child's net capital gain (line A of theLine 5 Worksheet). The result is the amountof net capital gain included on line 14.

Line 15 (tax on child's taxable income inexcess of net investment income). Figurethe tax on the amount on line 14 using theTax Table, the Tax Rate Schedules, theCapital Gain Tax Worksheet, Schedule D(Form 1

Documents

US Internal Revenue Service: p929--2000