Tax Return Filing

Who should file a Tax Return?

While many people are required to file a tax return, it’s a good idea for everyone to determine if they should file. Some people with low income are not required to file but will need to do so if they can get a tax refund.

Here are five tips for taxpayers who are deciding whether to file a tax return:

Find out the general reasons to file

In most cases, income, filing status, and age determine if a taxpayer must file a tax return. Other rules may apply if the taxpayer is self-employed or can be claimed as a dependent of someone else. There are other reasons when a taxpayer must file. The Interactive Tax Assistant can help someone determine if they need to file a return.

Look at tax withheld or paid

Here are a few questions for taxpayers to ask themselves:

  • Did the taxpayer’s employer withhold federal income tax from their pay?
  • Did the taxpayer make estimated tax payments?
  • Did they overpay last year and have it applied to this year’s tax?

If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, they could be due a refund. They must file a tax return to get their money.

Look into whether they can claim the earned income tax credit

A working taxpayer who earned less than $55,592 last year could receive the EITC as a tax refund. They must qualify and may do so with or without a qualifying child. They can check eligibility by using the 2019 EITC Assistant on IRS.gov. Taxpayers need to file a tax return to claim the EITC.

Child tax credit or credit for other dependents

Taxpayers can claim the child tax credit if they have a qualifying child under the age of 17 and meet other qualifications. Other taxpayers may be eligible for the credit for other dependents. This includes people who have:

  • Dependent children who are age 17 or older at the end of 2019
  • Parents or other qualifying individuals they support

The Child-Related Tax Benefits tool can help people determine if they qualify for these two credits.

Education Credits

There are two higher education credits that reduce the amount of tax someone owes on their tax return. One is the American opportunity tax credit and the other is the lifetime learning credit. The taxpayer, their spouse or their dependent must have been a student enrolled at least half time for one academic period to qualify. The taxpayer may qualify for one of these credits even if they don’t owe any taxes. Form 8863, Education Credits is used to claim the credit when filing the tax return.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
If You Found The Information Here Was Useful Please Consider Sharing This Page!
Advertisement
Refundtalk

Share
Published by
Refundtalk

Recent Posts

CFPB Takes Action Against Navient for Years of Student Loan Mismanagement and Violations

Order would put an end to Navient’s years of abuse of students and taxpayers in…

2 months ago

Maximizing Deductions for Home-Based Businesses: A Guide to Claiming Home Office Deductions and Other Expenses

Running a home-based business comes with many perks—flexibility, no daily commute, and the comfort of…

3 months ago

Understanding IRS Tax Refund Deposits

Tax season can be a time of anticipation and excitement, especially when you’re expecting a…

5 months ago

Today is Tax Day for 2024!

It's that time of year again – Tax Day 2024 is here! Today is the…

7 months ago

PATH ACT TAX REFUND HOLD 2024 ENDS TODAY

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act was created in order to protect taxpayers…

9 months ago

IRS Will Update The Where’s My Refund? Tools by February 17

The IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool will be updated by February 17, 2024, for many…

10 months ago
Related Posts

This website uses cookies.