Do I Need to File Taxes This Year?
Not everyone is required to file a tax return every year. Whether you need to file depends on how much money you made, the type of income you received, your age, and your filing status.
Important: This page is for general education only. Tax rules change every year, and everyone's situation is different. Always confirm with the IRS or a tax professional.
💡The basic idea in plain language
The IRS sets a dollar amount every year called a filing threshold. If your income is over that amount, you usually have to file a tax return. The threshold depends on:
- •Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.)
- •Your age (under or over 65)
- •The type of income you received
Even if your income is below the threshold, sometimes you still must file or you might want to file to get a refund.
✅Situations where you usually must file
You will almost always need to file a federal tax return if:
- !Your income is above the IRS filing threshold for your filing status and age.
- !You are self-employed and made $400 or more in net self-employment income (for example: freelance work, gig apps, side business).
- !The IRS sent you a notice telling you that you must file a return.
- !You owe certain special taxes (for example, from early 401(k) withdrawals or household employment taxes).
Note: Filing thresholds change every year. Check the current year's thresholds on IRS.gov before relying on any specific numbers.
💰Situations where you might want to file anyway
Even if you are not required to file, it can still be a good idea to file a return, because you might get money back:
- ✓Your employer withheld federal income tax from your paycheck and you might be due a refund.
- ✓You qualify for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit.
- ✓You made estimated tax payments during the year.
Filing a return is often the only way to actually receive these credits or get your withheld tax refunded.
🔄Simple yes/no flow to think about
- 1Did you have any income at all this year?
- 2If yes, was your total income above the filing threshold for your filing status and age?
- 3If not, did you have self-employment income of $400 or more?
- 4Did you have any federal tax withheld or refundable tax credits you might qualify for?
If you answer "yes" to any of these, it's usually smart to at least check whether you should file a return, even if you're not required to.
👨👩👧👦Special groups: students, seniors, and dependents
Filing rules can be different if you are a student, a senior, or a dependent on someone else's return.
👶Dependents
Children and some adult dependents may need to file if they have a certain amount of earned or unearned income (like interest or dividends).
🎓Students
Part-time jobs, scholarships, or side gigs can trigger filing requirements.
👴Seniors
Social Security may be taxable depending on your other income.
These rules can get detailed quickly. When in doubt, run through a free filing tool or speak with a professional.
🤷What to do if you're still not sure
If you're unsure, it's usually safer to file a return or at least walk through a free online tax software questionnaire. Many will tell you if you actually need to file.