Do I Need to File a 2019 Return?

To File
or
Not to File?

The IRS and states only accept e-filed tax returns for the current tax year - sign up for an eFile.com account and file your current year return entirely online. You can no longer file 2019 taxes online and you can only manually prepare the forms and mail them in. You may be wondering if you even have to file a return for a previous tax year. Generally, if you owe tax or are owed a tax refund, file as soon as possible!

Use the 2019 FILEucator tool to get your personal answer on whether you have to or should file a 2019 return. Yes, there are benefits in filing a return, find out now! Important: If you expected a 2019 Tax Return refund, you had until July 15, 2023 to claim this by filing a return. After that date, your money stays with the IRS.

Current Year Tax Tip:

• You can prepare and eFile your current taxes now on eFile.com: due April 15 following a given year.
• Use the current FILEucator for present income tax returns - eFileIT.

Filing a 2019 Return

2019 Return Case Study: Let's say a single person without a qualified child(ren) had a total of $11,200 taxable income in 2019 and was born in 1993. Since the 2019 standard deduction for a single person in 2019 was $12,200 it's easy to assume not to file a tax return as it would result in a zero tax refund and zero taxes owed. Not so! Due to the Earned Income Tax Credit - EITC - for all eligible ages between 25 and 65, and regardless of age, and if you have one or more qualified dependents or children, a tax return would result in a tax refund of $332 as anybody born before 1995 for 2019 returns is eligible for the EITC at certain income levels. Plus, eligible refundable tax credits might reduce the tax liability and/or increase the tax refund. Over 65 with Social Security Income?

Tax Tip: If you owe 2019 Taxes, then file a tax return as soon as possible even if you can't pay the taxes now. Keep in mind that the not filing on time tax penalties are considerably higher than the not paying taxes on time penalties.

If you have very little income and are not sure if you even have to file or not, or if your parents or someone claimed you as a dependent, simply use the free and easy 2019 FILEucator calculator below to find out if you are required to file a return or not. Just click and answer a few questions and you will know. Even if you're not required to file a 2019 return, there are reasons you may want to file a tax return.

If you wish to read more about this, review the sections below to find out if you are required to file a 2019 tax return.

Minimum Income Tax Return Filing Requirements

The minimum income required to file a tax return for Tax Year 2019 depends on your income, age, and filing status during the tax year. The minimum income levels for the various filing statuses are listed in the table below. If you earned below the minimum income for your filing status, you may not be required to file a Federal Tax Return. However, there are reasons why you may still want to file.

Learn more about selecting a filing status and find out what what income is taxable.

Other Reasons to File a Tax Return

Regardless of your gross income, you are generally required to file an income tax return if any of the following are true:

• You had net self-employment income of $400 or more, regardless of your filing status.
• You had unemployment income.
• You owe Alternative Minimum Tax.
• You owe household employment taxes.
• You owe additional taxes on a retirement plan (an individual retirement arrangement (IRA) or other tax-favored account) or health savings account.
• You must repay the 2008 Homebuyer Credit (or any other recapture taxes).
• You owe Social Security and Medicare taxes on unreported tip income.
• You earned $108.28 or more from a tax-exempt church or church-controlled organization.
• You received distributions from an MSA or Health Savings Account.
• You received an advance payment on the Premium Tax Credit.

Dependents, Taxable Income, Tax Refunds

If you are a dependent on somebody's tax return and do not know whether or not to file a tax return, review the minimum income requirements and learn how to file a tax return as a dependent. Be aware that if you are under age 16 and have never filed a tax return, you cannot yet e-file your first year. You can prepare your 2019 return, print it, and mail it to the IRS.

There are several reasons why you may want to file a 2019 tax return even if you do not meet the minimum income requirements:

• If you had taxes withheld from your pay, you must file a tax return to receive a tax refund.
• If you qualify, you must file a return to receive the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.
• If you are claiming education credits, you must file to be refunded the American Opportunity Credit.
• If you have a qualifying child but owe no tax, you can file to be refunded the Additional Child Tax Credit.
• If you qualify, you must file to claim the refundable Health Coverage Tax Credit.
• If you adopted a qualifying child, you must file to claim the Adoption Tax Credit.
• If you overpaid estimated tax or applied a prior year overpayment to this year, you must file to receive the refund.

Whether or not you are required to file a tax return depends on the type(s) of income that you have. There are many kinds of taxable income as well as many types of non-taxable income. Your gross income generally includes income from all sources in whatever form it takes. See a comprehensive list of taxable and tax free income.

Find out if you are required to file previous tax year tax return(s).

File your return on time and online each year so you do not have to handle complicated tax forms. Sign up for a free eFile.com account and see the benefits of electronic tax return filing.

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