Do I have to file a tax return?

KarenL — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:25:22 GMT

Whether or not you have to file a tax return isn’t just about how much income you earned. Sure, that’s part of it for most taxpayers, but the type of income also matters. For example in 2025, if your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, you need to file. If you’re a dependent and have unearned (investment) income of over $1,350, you probably need to file. Here’s one you might be surprised to know - if you work at a church, you might have to file even if your income was a little over $108. And even if you have a net loss on investment sales, they usually still need to be reported to the IRS. Yes, there are rules and filing requirements that we should all know. Check out the resources below to ensure you stay in the good graces of the IRS.

Do I need to file a federal return this year? - The basics - simplified list of who must file.
How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes? - More detail than the above link - definitely worth the read!
Can I File an Income Tax Return If I Don't Have Any Income? Good info here, especially if proof of tax filing is needed for financial aid or other reasons.
What Happens If I Don’t File Taxes? - A must read for anything thinking about skipping their tax filing!
Do I Have to File a Tax Return if I Don't Owe Tax? - The general rule.

If you need tax advice or have questions that aren't answered in the links above, please ask in our Taxes forum that best fits your needs!

topic Do I have to file a tax return? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Do I have to file a tax return?