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Publication 929 2003 Tax Year

Publication 929
Introductory Material

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2003 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Table of Contents

Important Changes

Filing requirements. The amount of gross income that many dependents with earned income (wages, tips, etc.) can have during the year without having to file a return has increased. See Filing Requirements in Part 1.

Standard deduction. The standard deduction for many dependents with earned income (wages, tips, etc.) has increased. See Standard Deduction in Part 1.

Alternative minimum tax. The limit on the exemption amount for figuring the alternative minimum tax of a child filing Form 8615 has increased to the child's earned income plus $5,500. See Alternative Minimum Tax in Part 2.

Important Reminders

Third party designee. A child's parent or guardian who does not sign the child's return may be authorized by the person who does sign the return to answer, as a third party designee, any questions that may arise during the processing of the return. This authorization also allows the parent to perform certain actions. See your income tax package for details. Also, see Responsibility for Child's Return, in Part 1.

Parent's election to report child's interest and dividends. You may be able to elect to include your child's interest and dividends on your tax return. If you make this election, the child does not have to file a return. See Parent's Election To Report Child's Interest and Dividends in Part 2.

Social security number (SSN). Dependents who are required to file a tax return must have an SSN. To apply for an SSN, file Form SS–5 with the Social Security Administration. It usually takes about 2 weeks to get an SSN.

Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). The IRS will issue an ITIN to a nonresident or resident alien who does not have and is not eligible to get an SSN. To apply for an ITIN, file Form W–7 with the IRS. It usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks to get an ITIN. The ITIN is entered wherever an SSN is requested on a tax return. If you are required to include another person's SSN on your return and that person does not have and cannot get an SSN, enter that person's ITIN. An ITIN is for tax use only. It does not entitle the holder to social security benefits or change the holder's employment or immigration status under U.S. law.

Names and numbers on tax returns must match. You should compare the names and numbers used on tax returns with the information on the identification cards issued by the Social Security Administration or the IRS to make sure they match. People who change their surnames for any reason—such as marriage—should get updated identification cards, unless they intend to use the former name for legal purposes.

Exemption. A person who can be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return cannot claim an exemption for himself or herself on his or her own return.

Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1–800–THE–LOST (1–800–843–5678) if you recognize a child.

Introduction

Part 1 of this publication explains the filing requirements and other tax information for individuals who can be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return.

Part 2 explains how to report and figure the tax on certain investment income of children under age 14 (whether or not they can be claimed as dependents).

Definitions.

Many of the terms used in this publication, such as “dependent,” “earned income,” and “unearned income,” are defined in the Glossary at the back of this publication.

Comments and suggestions.

We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

You can e-mail us while visiting our web site at www.irs.gov.

You can write to us at the following address:


Internal Revenue Service
Tax Forms and Publications
W:CAR:MP:FP
1111 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20224

We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including 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)

  • W–4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate
  • 8615 Tax for Children Under Age 14 With Investment Income of More Than $1,500
  • 8814 Parents' Election To Report Child's Interest and Dividends

See How To Get Tax Help near the end of this publication for information about getting these publications and forms.

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