One of the most common questions people ask every year is: “Do I really need to file taxes if I didn’t make much money?”
And the honest answer is — it depends. Filing requirements aren’t based on one single number, and many people skip filing when they actually shouldn’t… or miss out on money by not filing at all.
Let’s break it down simply.
When You’re Required to File
Whether you must file a tax return depends on:
- How much you earned
- Where the income came from
- Your filing status
- Whether taxes were withheld
For example, if you earned income from a job and had taxes taken out of your paycheck, you may want to file even if your income is below the filing threshold because you could be due a refund.
W-2 Income vs Self-Employment Income
This part trips people up often.
However, if you earned self-employment or gig income, the rules are different. Even a relatively small amount of self-employment income can trigger a filing requirement because of self-employment taxes.
This is one of the most common reasons people accidentally skip filing when they shouldn’t.
For the 2025 tax year, having $400 or more in net self-employment income requires you to file. If you have self-employment over $400 and w-2 income under the $15,750 threshold, you are still required to file per the IRS.
Why You Might Still Want to File
Even if you aren’t technically required to file, filing can still be beneficial.
You may qualify for:
- A refund of withheld taxes
- Certain credits
- A tax record that helps with future filings, loans, or financial applications
Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re single, under 65 and in 2025 you earned $14,000 from a job and received your w-2.
For the 2025 Tax Year, a single filer under 65 generally must file if their gross income is $15,750 or more.
In this particular case, you may not be required to file, however if federal taxes were withheld from your paycheck, filing a return could allow you to get that money refunded.
Not filing doesn’t always save time, sometimes it just delays issues or leaves money on the table.
Final Thoughts
If you made less than a certain amount, that doesn’t automatically mean you can skip filing. The type of income matters just as much as the amount.
When in doubt, it’s better to review your situation than assume. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out to me to review your situation at no additional cost to you.
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