Can't afford to file taxes this year - what are my options?

I'm sorry to hear about your health and financial challenges. Let me help clarify your options: If your income was less than $12,500 in 2023 (which it sounds like it was at $2,800), you're actually not required to file a federal tax return at all. This is the standard deduction threshold for a single filer. However, you should still consider filing because you might be eligible for a refund through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), even if you don't owe taxes. For someone without qualifying children, you could get up to $600 back depending on your exact income. Don't worry about not having 1099 forms. If your income from each survey site was under $600, they aren't required to send you one. You can self-report this income using your own records. For free filing options, the IRS Free File program is completely legitimate and safe - it's directly supported by the IRS. You can access it at IRS.gov. Another excellent option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax preparation for people who make $60,000 or less. These are trained volunteers, often accounting professionals or students, supervised by the IRS. If you still decide not to file, know that there's no penalty for not filing if you're owed a refund. However, you generally only have three years from the original filing deadline to claim that refund.

Hey, I was in a similar situation last year when I couldn't work because of health issues. I was really worried about filing taxes with limited income from odd jobs. I found this AI tax assistant at https://taxr.ai that was super helpful for my situation. It analyzed my income and expenses and showed me that I actually qualified for a refund I didn't know about. The nice thing was I could upload screenshots of my survey payment history since I didn't have official 1099s either. The system calculated everything and helped me understand which credits I qualified for. It was way less intimidating than trying to figure it all out myself or paying someone when I was broke. For someone in your situation with survey income and medical expenses, it might be worth checking out since it's designed for people with non-traditional income sources and can help identify credits or deductions you might miss.

Just wanted to update that I tried the taxr.ai thing mentioned above. I was nervous at first since I've always paid someone to do my taxes, but it was surprisingly straightforward. I uploaded screenshots of my PayPal payments from the survey sites and it calculated everything automatically. The biggest surprise was finding out I qualified for some healthcare tax credits I didn't know about because of my low income situation. It guided me through claiming some of my medical expenses too. Ended up getting a refund of about $520 instead of owing money like I thought I would. For anyone in a similar situation with health issues and limited income from non-traditional sources, it really helped me understand what I qualify for. Way better than just not filing and wondering if I was missing out on money I could get back.

I see you're having trouble reaching the IRS for guidance on your situation. I was in the same boat last year - kept calling and could never get through. Super frustrating when you have legitimate questions! I started using this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c that shows how it works. Basically, they have some tech that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line, then calls you when an agent is about to pick up. It was a game changer when I needed clarification about reporting my similar situation with gig work income but no tax forms. I found out directly from an IRS agent that I wasn't required to file with my low income, but they recommended I do it anyway to claim credits. Getting that clear confirmation directly from the IRS gave me peace of mind.

I have to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it because I also needed to talk to the IRS about a similar situation with unreported income. I've tried calling them literally dozens of times over the past few years and NEVER got through. The service actually worked exactly as described. I got a call back in about 35 minutes and was connected to an IRS representative. I explained my situation with health issues and limited income from online work, and they confirmed I should still file to get the credits I'm eligible for. They even directed me to specific VITA locations in my area that specialize in helping people with disabilities. I'm still not a fan of having to pay to reach a government agency we fund with our tax dollars, but I can't deny it solved a problem I've been dealing with for years. If you're in a situation where you absolutely need to speak with the IRS directly, it does what it claims to do.

Just so you know, if your income was only $2,800 for the year, you're almost certainly not required to file. But as others have mentioned, you might be leaving money on the table by not filing. One thing nobody has mentioned: if you're expecting to receive disability backpay, be aware that could create a tax situation in the year you receive it. If you get approved and receive a large lump sum, you might want to look into something called "lump sum election" which can help reduce the tax impact by allocating the income to previous years. Also, regarding the survey sites not sending 1099s - that's normal if each one paid you less than $600. But you're still required to report that income. The good news is you can also deduct any expenses related to earning that income, like a portion of your internet bill.

I don't mean to be that person, but I think you should know that the IRS can come after you years later if you don't file. My cousin didn't file for 3 years when he was making very little money, and they eventually sent him notices with penalties and interest. Even if you don't owe anything now, I personally wouldn't risk it. Look into the free filing options others have mentioned. The VITA program helped my grandmother last year and they were actually very professional. They're often accounting students or retired CPAs volunteering their time. Also, check if your state has any specific low-income credits you might qualify for. Some states have additional credits beyond the federal ones that are specifically for people in situations like yours.