If you made under $10k in 2024, do you still need to file taxes?
Hi everyone. I'm a bit confused about the tax filing requirements for this year. I worked a part-time job at a coffee shop for a few months last year and only made about $9,200 total. I'm 24 and single, and this was my only income source. I'm not claimed as a dependent on anyone else's taxes. I've heard different things from friends - some say I don't need to file because I made under $10k, others say I still should to get a refund on taxes that were withheld from my paychecks. I got a W-2 form in the mail but I'm not sure if I actually need to do anything with it. Do I still need to file a tax return even though I made under $10k? And if I do file, would I use the standard 1040 form or is there a simpler option for low income? Thanks!
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Geoff Richards
Whether you need to file depends on a few things, but it's probably a good idea in your case. For single filers under 65, the filing threshold for 2024 taxes is $12,950, so technically you're not required to file since you made under that amount. However, if you had any federal income tax withheld from your paychecks (check box 2 on your W-2), you should definitely file to get that money refunded to you. You might also qualify for tax credits like the Earned Income Credit even with your lower income, which could mean more money in your pocket. These are refundable credits, meaning you can get them even if you don't owe any tax. For filing, the standard 1040 form is what everyone uses now. The 1040-EZ no longer exists. But the process is pretty straightforward with your simple situation, and any tax software would make it even easier.
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Simon White
•Thanks for the info! Would using something like TurboTax be free for someone in this situation? Also, is there a deadline for filing if you're getting a refund and not owing anything?
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Geoff Richards
•Yes, if your income is under $73,000, you can use the IRS Free File program which partners with tax software companies to provide free filing. TurboTax, H&R Block, and others participate, though each has specific eligibility requirements, so check their websites. The filing deadline is still April 15th, 2025, regardless of whether you're getting a refund or owe taxes. However, if you're only getting a refund, there's no penalty for filing late. You generally have 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim your refund before you lose it.
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Hugo Kass
I was in a similar situation last year and found that using taxr.ai was incredibly helpful for my simple tax return. I was confused about whether I needed to file with a low income, and this tool helped me understand my situation better. I just uploaded my W-2 to https://taxr.ai and it analyzed everything automatically, telling me I was eligible for a refund of the federal taxes that had been withheld plus some credits I didn't know about. The step-by-step guidance was really clear about which forms I needed and why filing was beneficial in my case, even though I technically didn't have to.
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Nasira Ibanez
•Does it actually do the filing for you or just tell you what you need to do? I'm always worried about making mistakes on tax forms.
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Khalil Urso
•How much did it cost? These services always advertise as free but then charge you at the end when you're ready to file.
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Hugo Kass
•It analyzes your documents and provides detailed guidance, breaking down exactly what you need to know about your tax situation. It explains which forms you need to file and why, but the actual filing would be done through your preferred tax software or the IRS Free File services. The focus is really on understanding your tax situation and identifying opportunities for refunds or credits you might miss otherwise, especially for simpler tax situations like yours. I used the information it gave me to file through one of the free services afterward with confidence.
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Khalil Urso
Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing this thread, and it was actually really helpful! I uploaded my W-2 from my part-time job (made about $8500 last year) and it immediately showed me that I'd get back all $620 that was withheld for federal taxes, plus I qualified for an earned income credit I had no idea about! The breakdown made everything super clear and I was able to use the free filing option through the IRS site with the information it gave me. Already got my refund deposited last week. Definitely file even if you're under the threshold!
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Myles Regis
If you're having trouble getting answers from the IRS about your filing status or refund, I'd recommend Claimyr. The IRS phone lines are ridiculous - I spent hours on hold trying to figure out if I needed to file with my $8,800 income from last year. I found https://claimyr.com and they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes instead of the 2+ hour wait I experienced before. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The agent confirmed I should file to get my withholding back and walked me through which forms I needed.
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Brian Downey
•Wait, how does this actually work? They somehow get you to the front of the IRS phone queue? That sounds too good to be true.
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Jacinda Yu
•Sounds like a scam. Why would I pay someone to call the IRS when I can just call them myself for free? Even if the wait is long, it's still free. And how would they possibly have special access to IRS agents?
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Myles Regis
•It works by using an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an agent finally picks up, you get a call connecting you directly to them. It basically does the waiting for you so you don't have to sit by your phone for hours. They don't have special access to agents or skip the line - they just handle the waiting part automatically. Think of it like having someone wait in a physical line for you, then texting when they reach the front so you can come take their place. For me, it was worth it to avoid the frustration and wasted time.
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Jacinda Yu
I have to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After dismissing it as a potential scam, I was still struggling with my tax questions and couldn't get through to the IRS after multiple attempts. Out of desperation, I tried the service. It actually worked exactly as described. I got a call back when an agent was on the line, and the IRS representative confirmed that even though I made under $10k, I should absolutely file to get back the $540 that was withheld from my paychecks. She also helped me understand which credits I might qualify for. Saved me hours of frustration and clarified my situation completely.
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Landon Flounder
Just a reminder that if you're a student, the rules can be different. If your parents claim you as a dependent, you may need to file even with income under $10k, especially if you have unearned income like interest or dividends. I learned this the hard way last year!
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Callum Savage
•Is there an easy way to check if I'm being claimed as a dependent? I'm not sure if my parents are claiming me or not, and I don't want to mess up their taxes or mine.
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Landon Flounder
•The best way is simply to ask your parents if they're claiming you as a dependent. There's no database you can check yourself. If you're under 24 and a full-time student, your parents might be eligible to claim you regardless of how much you earned, as long as they provided more than half of your support. It's important to coordinate with them because if they claim you and you also claim yourself, it'll cause issues for both of your returns.
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Ally Tailer
I made $9,400 last year and didn't file. Now I regret it because I checked my W-2 and saw they withheld like $500 in federal taxes that I could've gotten back. Is it too late to file for last year?
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Geoff Richards
•Not at all! You generally have 3 years from the original filing deadline to file and claim a refund. So for 2023 taxes (which were due April 2024), you have until April 2027 to file and get your money back. You'll need to file a return specifically for that tax year though - make sure you're using 2023 forms or tax software set to that year.
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Ravi Gupta
For someone in your exact situation (single, 24, $9,200 income, not a dependent), you should definitely file! Even though you're under the $12,950 threshold that requires filing, you'll likely get back every penny of federal income tax that was withheld from your paychecks. Check box 2 on your W-2 - if there's any amount there, that's money the government owes you. Plus, you might qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which could actually give you more back than what was withheld. The 1040 form is straightforward for your situation. You can use the IRS Free File program since your income is well under $73,000, or any free tax software. Don't leave money on the table - file that return!
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Holly Lascelles
•This is really helpful advice! I'm in a similar boat - made about $8,700 last year and wasn't sure if it was worth the hassle to file. But if I can get back all the taxes they took out plus potentially some credits, that could be a decent chunk of change. Do you know roughly how long it takes to get the refund once you file? I could really use that money right now for some unexpected expenses.
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