Do summer camp counselors need to file taxes on earnings?

Yes, you'll need to file taxes if your income is above $12,950 for the year (standard deduction amount for 2025). If your only income for the year is $3,500 from the summer camp job, you wouldn't technically be required to file. However, you should still file because you'll likely get a refund of any federal income tax that was withheld from your paychecks. The camp will provide you with a W-2 by January 31, 2026, showing your earnings and any taxes withheld. Even though your parents claim you as a dependent, you still file your own tax return for your income. Just make sure to check the box that says someone else can claim you as a dependent.

I used to work at summer camps and got totally confused by the tax stuff too! What helped me was using https://taxr.ai when it came time to file. They walked me through exactly what forms I needed based on my W-2 and explained things super clearly. The thing you should check is whether you're classified as an employee or independent contractor. My first camp classified us as contractors (got a 1099) and I got hit with self-employment taxes I wasn't expecting. My second camp had us as employees (W-2) which was way better since they withheld taxes already.

Just wanted to update that I tried https://taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here, and it was exactly what I needed for my complicated student tax situation! It walked me through reporting my taxable scholarship income correctly (something I've messed up in previous years) and helped me understand which education credits I qualified for. The best part was that it explained everything in plain English instead of tax jargon. I actually understand what I'm filing now instead of just guessing and hoping I don't get audited. Definitely recommend for other students with tax questions!

Since we're talking about summer camp jobs - if you're having trouble getting answers from the camp about your tax status or getting your W-2, I highly recommend using https://claimyr.com to get through to the IRS. I had an issue last year where my camp never sent my W-2 and kept ignoring my calls. I tried calling the IRS directly for weeks but couldn't get through. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes who helped me report the missing W-2 and file properly. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c

Ok I take back what I said. I was super skeptical about Claimyr but I was desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about a missing form so I tried it. IT ACTUALLY WORKED. I got a call back in about 35 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line who helped me sort everything out. I've literally never been able to get through to the IRS before this - last time I tried I was on hold for 2+ hours and then the call dropped. This saved me so much time and frustration. Just wanted to post this update since I was the skeptic earlier.

One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you're living at the summer camp, sometimes they provide housing and meals as part of your compensation. This can be considered taxable income in some cases! When I worked at Camp Wildwood they included the value of housing/meals on my W-2 which increased my taxable income. Also check if your state has different minimum filing requirements than federal. Some states require you to file even with very low income.

Stupid question maybe but do cash tips from parents at the end of camp need to be reported? I worked at a fancy camp in Vermont last year and got almost $1200 in tips at the end of the season...nobody said anything about taxes.

As someone who's been through this exact situation, here are a few additional things to keep in mind: 1. **Keep all your records** - Save your paystubs, any tax documents you receive, and receipts for work-related expenses (like camp supplies you had to buy). You'll need these when filing. 2. **Work-related expenses** - If you had to buy your own supplies, uniforms, or other items specifically for the job, you might be able to deduct these as unreimbursed employee expenses (though this is more limited now post-2017 tax reform). 3. **Timing matters** - Since you're earning this in summer 2025, you won't file taxes on it until early 2026. Don't stress about filing anything right now! 4. **State considerations** - Since someone mentioned Michigan, you should know that Michigan does require you to file a state return if you file federal OR if you had Michigan tax withheld, regardless of income amount. The key thing is to ask your camp employer upfront whether you'll be classified as an employee or independent contractor - this makes a huge difference in what forms you'll get and what taxes you'll owe. Most legitimate camps will classify counselors as employees, but it's worth confirming!

Just wanted to add something important that I learned the hard way - make sure to set aside some money for taxes throughout the summer, especially if you end up being classified as an independent contractor! When I worked as a camp counselor two years ago, I was so excited to get my paychecks that I spent everything right away. Then tax season came and I owed money because not enough was withheld (I was technically an employee but they didn't withhold much). It was a scramble to come up with the cash. My advice: put about 15-20% of each paycheck into a separate savings account just for taxes. If you end up getting a refund, great - you have extra money! If you owe, you're covered. This is especially important if you're getting tips too since those often aren't taxed upfront. Also, don't forget about FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) - these get taken out regardless of your income level if you're an employee, or you'll owe self-employment tax if you're a contractor. The math can get confusing but it's better to be prepared!

Great thread everyone! As someone who's helped a lot of young people with their first tax situations, I want to emphasize a few key points that can save you headaches: **The most important thing to do RIGHT NOW** is to ask your camp during orientation about your employment classification. Don't wait until you get your first paycheck to find out if you're an employee or contractor - this affects everything from how much tax is withheld to what forms you'll receive. **For your specific situation with $3,500 income**: You likely won't owe federal income tax, but you'll still owe FICA taxes (Social Security/Medicare) if you're an employee, or self-employment tax if you're a contractor. Many first-time workers get surprised by this. **Michigan specific tip**: Michigan requires filing if you had ANY state tax withheld, regardless of income amount. So even if your federal filing isn't required, you might still need to file state. **Documentation is everything**: Start a simple folder (physical or digital) right now for all your tax documents. Keep every paystub, any receipts for required work supplies, and notes about your employment classification. Future you will thank present you! The advice about setting aside 15-20% for taxes is spot on. Even if you think you won't owe anything, it's better to be prepared. And definitely keep track of any cash tips - they're taxable income even if nobody tells you that upfront. You're asking the right questions early, which puts you way ahead of most people! Don't stress too much - first-time filing is always intimidating but you've got this.