Minors get taxed but can't vote - No taxation without representation right?

Wait but isn't that still unfair? I get that it's not technically in the Constitution but it's like a founding principle or whatever. And comparing minors to felons or immigrants seems wrong because kids are literally FUTURE voters who just aren't old enough yet. Shouldn't we at least acknowledge this is kinda messed up?

It's a fair philosophical question about fairness. The founding principle was primarily about having representatives in government, not specifically about individual voting rights. The modern interpretation is that minors are represented by their parents/guardians and elected officials who are supposed to consider the needs of all constituents, not just voters. As for comparing to other non-voting groups, I wasn't equating them morally - just pointing out that voting rights and tax obligations are legally separate systems in our current framework. Many democratic countries follow similar approaches. That said, there have been interesting debates about lowering voting ages specifically because young people are affected by policies including taxation.

Does it actually work for specific situations like this? My 15yo daughter just started working at a grocery store and I want to make sure we're handling her taxes correctly. Can it tell me if she should file separately or if I should claim her income somehow?

I'm skeptical about these online tools. How is this any different from just googling tax information? Is it actually giving personalized advice or just generic info you could find on the IRS site?

It absolutely works for specific situations like your daughter's. The tool will analyze her employment status, income level, and dependent status to give you clear guidance on whether she needs to file separately and how that impacts your taxes when claiming her as a dependent. It's particularly helpful for these edge cases. The difference from Google is that it doesn't just provide generic information - it analyzes your specific documents and situation. Rather than sorting through contradictory forum posts or vague IRS publications, it directly answers your questions based on your actual tax scenario. It's like having a tax professional explain things without the jargon or expense.

How exactly does this work? I thought it was impossible to get through to the IRS. Do they somehow have a special number or connection?

Yeah right. No way this actually works. The IRS is a black hole where phone calls go to die. If this service actually existed and worked, we'd all know about it. Sounds like a scam to get desperate people's money.

It works by using technology to navigate the IRS phone system and hold your place in line. They call you when an agent is about to be available, so you don't have to stay on hold for hours. It's like having someone wait in line for you. I was extremely skeptical too - I literally laughed when my brother-in-law suggested it. But after my fifth failed attempt to reach someone at the IRS, I was desperate enough to try. I figured it was worth a shot since I was getting nowhere on my own. I was shocked when they actually got me through to a real person who answered all my questions about minor taxation rules.

But doesn't that still seem like a technicality? If I can't participate in choosing who represents me, are they really representing my interests? Especially since politicians focus on voters, not non-voters like kids.

That's a fair point about political incentives. Representatives do tend to prioritize the interests of actual voters who can keep them in office. The philosophical argument would be that your parents/guardians vote partly with your interests in mind, and the democratic system is supposed to consider all residents of a district, not just voters. There's also the practical side - many government services that taxes fund (schools, parks, safety) directly benefit minors, possibly even more than adults. It's definitely an interesting civics debate! Some countries have actually considered lowering voting ages specifically because of this taxation issue. Austria, for example, allows 16-year-olds to vote in national elections.

Yes, he should definitely file! Since he makes less than the standard deduction (which will be around $14,600 for 2025), he'll get ALL of that federal income tax back. Filing is super simple for this situation - you can use free filing options. Just make sure you know whether you're claiming him as a dependent, as that affects how he files. Also check your state rules - some states have different thresholds for filing requirements.

Thanks for bringing up the education credits! That's something I hadn't thought about. My sister is planning to go to college in a couple years, so it would be good to know what credits might be available to help offset some of these taxes she's paying now. I'm still not totally convinced by the "represented through parents" argument though. Like, my parents and I definitely don't agree on everything politically, so how can they really represent my sister's interests when voting? It still feels like there should be some kind of exemption or at least reduced tax rates for minors who can't vote. But I guess the practical benefits point makes sense - she does use roads, schools, police protection, etc. Do you know if there are any movements to change this? Like, has anyone actually tried to challenge this in court or push for legislation to exempt working minors from income tax?