Do I need to file taxes if I just started working in December 2024?

The requirement to file taxes isn't based on how long you've been working, but rather on how much income you earned during the tax year. For 2024 taxes (which you'll file in 2025), if you're filing as single and under 65, you generally need to file if your gross income was at least $13,850. Even if you only worked for one month, you'll need to check how much you earned during that period. Your employer should provide you with a W-2 form by January 31, 2025, which will show your total earnings and taxes withheld for 2024. Even if you're under the filing threshold, you might want to file anyway if you had federal income tax withheld from your paycheck, as you could be eligible for a refund of that withheld amount.

I was in your exact same situation last year! After trying to figure everything out myself and getting nowhere, I used this AI tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that literally saved me. I uploaded my W-2 from those few weeks of work and it analyzed everything for me. The tool told me that even though I earned under the filing threshold, I should still file to get back the taxes that were withheld from my paychecks. It also showed me exactly how my residency status affected my filing requirements since I was new to the US. For someone new to the US tax system like you, it's super helpful because it explains everything in simple terms and walks you through the whole process.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai that the other commenter mentioned. I was skeptical at first but it was actually super helpful! I moved here in November 2024 and only made about $4,500, but the system showed me I'd get almost $300 back if I filed. It analyzed my residency status (turns out I'm a "dual-status alien" for 2024) and walked me through exactly which forms I needed. The explanation about the substantial presence test was really clear. The best part was that it showed me I'm eligible for some tax treaty benefits from my home country that I had no idea about. Definitely recommend for anyone new to the US or with a complicated residency situation!

If you're still struggling to get answers and need to speak directly with the IRS, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year where I couldn't figure out my filing status as a newcomer, and the IRS phone lines kept disconnecting me after hours on hold. Claimyr actually got me through to a real IRS agent in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent I spoke with confirmed that even though I was only in the US for 2 months and under the filing threshold, I should still file to get my withholding back. They also helped me understand which forms I needed specifically for my situation as a new arrival.

I need to eat my words. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try Claimyr out of desperation. I couldn't believe it actually worked. Got through to an IRS agent in about 30 minutes when I'd been trying for literally weeks. The agent cleared up my confusion about being a partial-year resident completely. Turns out my situation was more nuanced than what I found online - since I arrived in December and had foreign income earlier in the year, I needed to file a specific form that none of the online guides mentioned. Honestly wish I'd known about this service months ago instead of stressing over whether I was doing things right. Sometimes talking to an actual human at the IRS is what you need, especially with immigration/new resident situations that don't fit neatly into online tax software categories.

I just want to point out that different states have different tax filing requirements too! When I moved to Massachusetts in November last year, I found out I still needed to file a state tax return even though I was under the federal threshold. Check your specific state's department of revenue website. Some states require you to file if you've earned even $1 in that state, while others have minimum thresholds.

Don't forget to check if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit! If your income is low, you might qualify for this credit which could give you money back even if you didn't pay any taxes. I only worked for 6 weeks in my first year in the US and still got about $560 back because of this credit.

As someone who also just moved to the US recently, I want to add that it's really important to keep track of ALL your tax documents from your first year here. Beyond just your W-2, make sure you save records of any foreign income you might have earned before arriving in the US, especially if you're from a country that has a tax treaty with the US. Also, if you opened any US bank accounts that earned interest (even just a few dollars), you'll get 1099-INT forms that you'll need for filing. I made the mistake of not keeping track of a small savings account and had to scramble to get the documents later. One more tip - if you're planning to stay in the US long-term, consider getting familiar with tax software or services now while your situation is relatively simple. It only gets more complicated as you establish more financial ties here (buying a house, investing, etc.).