Is Zakat due on my children's savings?
Zakat on a child's savings is one of the questions where the schools genuinely differ — the answer depends on whose wealth it really is and which view you follow.
Ownership is the first test: money that is genuinely the child's own is theirs, not the parent's. On whether a minor owes Zakat on it, the schools differ — the Hanafi school generally holds that Zakat is not due on a minor's wealth (aside from certain cases), while the Shafi'i and some others hold that it is, paid by the guardian. Follow a qualified view.
Ownership comes first.
Before the Zakat question, settle the ownership question. Money that has genuinely been given to a child, or that a child has inherited, is the child's own wealth — not the parent's — and should not simply be merged into the parent's calculation. Money a parent is only holding in the child's name for convenience remains the parent's.
Is a minor liable?
On whether Zakat is actually due on a minor's own wealth, the schools reach different conclusions. The Hanafi school generally holds that Zakat is not obligatory on a minor's wealth, apart from certain cases such as agricultural produce. The Shafi'i school, and some others, hold that it is due and is paid on the child's behalf by the guardian.
Because this is a genuine difference of opinion, choose the view you follow under qualified guidance and apply it consistently.
How to calculate.
Where you follow a view that Zakat is due on the child's wealth, calculate it exactly as for an adult: total the child's Zakatable assets, compare with Nisab, and pay 2.5% on their behalf, kept separate from your own calculation.
Questions people ask.
Do I pay Zakat on my child's savings?+
It depends on the view you follow. The Hanafi school generally holds that Zakat is not due on a minor's wealth; the Shafi'i and some others hold that it is, paid by the guardian. First confirm the money is genuinely the child's own.
Is a child's money part of my Zakat?+
No. Wealth that genuinely belongs to the child — gifts or inheritance in their name — is theirs, not yours, and should not be merged into your calculation. Money merely held in their name for convenience stays yours.
If it is due, how is it calculated?+
Exactly like an adult's: total the child's Zakatable assets, compare with Nisab, and pay 2.5% on their behalf, kept separate from your own.
Use the private calculator.
Your entries are processed in the browser and are not stored.