How to Legally Make Money as a 14-Year-Old

Fourteen-year-olds can earn money through various activities, fostering valuable skills such as financial literacy, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. Understanding informal and formal opportunities, along with legal considerations for minors, is essential. Safety and appropriate parental involvement are paramount throughout any money-making endeavor. Exploring legitimate ways to earn income at this age can provide beneficial experience, whether through neighborhood services, creative ventures, or structured employment.

Neighborhood Services and Odd Jobs

Informal neighborhood services offer 14-year-olds accessible opportunities to earn money directly within their communities, often on a cash basis. Common services include babysitting for younger children, pet sitting for neighbors, or dog walking. Other popular options include lawn care, such as mowing, raking leaves, or shoveling snow, as well as car washing and detailing.

To identify potential clients, beginning with family friends and immediate neighbors is often effective. Word-of-mouth referrals are a powerful tool, so delivering reliable and high-quality service is essential for building a positive reputation. Creating simple flyers with contact information and a list of services can also be distributed locally, perhaps at community centers or on neighborhood bulletin boards. Clear communication about availability, tasks, and expected outcomes helps manage client expectations and ensures a professional approach.

Setting appropriate rates for these services involves considering local demand, the complexity of the task, and the time commitment involved. For instance, babysitting rates might range from $10 to $20 per hour, depending on the number of children and responsibilities, while a full lawn mowing service could command $20 to $50 per session. It is advisable to discuss and agree upon the payment terms before starting any work to avoid misunderstandings. Maintaining reliability by showing up on time and completing tasks thoroughly helps build trust and encourages repeat business.

Income earned from any source is generally subject to tax reporting if it exceeds specific thresholds. A dependent child must file a tax return if their gross income, including earnings from odd jobs or formal employment, exceeds $1,300, or if their self-employment income is $400 or more. If self-employment income reaches or surpasses $400, the individual is generally subject to self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare. For formal employment, a minor must file a tax return if their earned income exceeds the standard deduction, which was $14,600 for single taxpayers in a recent tax year. Parents typically guide their children through these tax obligations.

Selling Your Creations and Resale

Entrepreneurial ventures provide another pathway for 14-year-olds to earn money by creating and selling items or by engaging in resale activities. Crafting handmade goods allows for personal expression and the development of valuable production skills. Examples of popular items include handmade jewelry, custom artwork, decorative crafts, or even baked goods, which can be sold to friends, family, or at local community events. Producing items that cater to specific interests, such as personalized accessories or unique gifts, can help attract customers.

Various avenues exist for selling these creations, extending beyond direct sales to acquaintances. Local craft fairs, school events, and community yard sales provide direct interaction with potential buyers and allow for immediate transactions. Websites like Etsy, for example, mandate that minors aged 13-17 can only sell through a parent-registered account, with all financial information, such as credit card or PayPal details, belonging to the parent or legal guardian. The minor’s profile and “About” page must also explicitly disclose that a parent oversees the account, ensuring compliance with legal terms of service and consumer protection.

Reselling items offers a different entrepreneurial model, focusing on acquiring goods at a low cost and selling them for a profit. This can involve sourcing gently used clothes, toys, or books from thrift stores, garage sales, or family donations. The process typically involves cleaning, repairing, or refreshing items to enhance their value before listing them for sale. Pricing these items competitively requires research into current market values and understanding the profit margin after considering any acquisition or preparation costs.

Marketing these goods, whether handmade or resold, involves showcasing their appeal to the target audience. For local sales, clear signage, attractive displays, and friendly engagement with customers are effective. For online sales, high-quality photographs, detailed descriptions, and transparent pricing are necessary to attract buyers. Parental guidance in managing online storefronts, handling transactions, and understanding shipping logistics is essential to ensure a secure and compliant operation.

Formal Employment and Legal Considerations

Formal employment for 14-year-olds involves structured jobs with employers, adhering to federal and state labor laws designed to protect young workers. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the primary federal guidelines, establishing minimum age, hour, and occupation restrictions. Fourteen and fifteen-year-olds are generally permitted to work in non-manufacturing and non-hazardous jobs, typically outside of school hours. This includes roles in retail, such as cashiering, stocking shelves, or marking prices, and certain food service positions like reheating food, washing dishes, or limited cooking, provided they do not involve hazardous machinery or tasks.

Regarding work hours, federal law restricts 14 and 15-year-olds to three hours on a school day, with a maximum of 18 hours per week when school is in session. During non-school periods, such as summer vacation, they can work up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Work is generally prohibited before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., though this evening hour extends to 9:00 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day. Occupations deemed hazardous, such as operating power-driven machinery, working with explosives, or in mining and logging industries, are strictly prohibited for minors under 18.

While federal law does not mandate work permits for minors, most states require them to ensure compliance with child labor laws. These work permits, sometimes called employment certificates or age certificates, verify the minor’s age and confirm they meet state-specific criteria for employment. The process for obtaining a work permit typically involves the minor, parent or guardian, and prospective employer completing an application. This application often requires proof of age, such as a birth certificate or state-issued identification, and sometimes a physician’s statement confirming the minor’s physical fitness for work.

To find formal employment, 14-year-olds can look for entry-level positions in local retail stores, grocery stores, fast-food establishments, or community centers. Many of these businesses are accustomed to hiring young workers and are familiar with child labor regulations. The application process usually involves completing an application form, and preparing for an interview where reliability and a positive attitude are important. Parental consent is typically required for formal employment, and parents often assist with the application and interview preparation.