2025 Tax Filing

[Josecas6768]

So I have been on workers comp all year long. I understand that the payments are not taxable whatsoever, but I am a single dad. I have 5 children, and my sister has taken care of me and the children this year. How do I need to file my taxes?

[xmasbaby0]

Workers compensation is not taxable, and does not get entered on a tax return.   If that has been your only income, you will not need to file a tax return.  The child-related credits are based on income earned from working, so, sorry, but you will not be eligible for child tax credit, etc.

Who has to file?

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F

[Josecas6768]

What if for the first 3 weeks of my claim being set up and processed they paid me 3 weeks worth of work. Would I be able to file and claim then?

[xmasbaby0]

You can enter a W-2 for 2024 on a 2024 tax return.   However, if the earnings were for only three weeks, it is unlikely to be enough to get much child-related credit.   You will likely get back any amount that was withheld for federal tax from box 2.    You might get a little bit of earned income credit.   If you do not have more than $2500 of income from working, you still will not get the refundable additional child tax credit.  

That credit is calculated like this:

 Look at box 1 of your W-2.  Subtract $2500 from that.  Then take that number and multiply by 15%.  That is your refundable amount --or "additional child tax credit" amount.   If you did not earn at least $2500 you cannot get any additional child tax credit at all.

[xmasbaby0]

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900923-what-is-the-child-tax-credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/additional-child-tax-credit/L6x...

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-f...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899157-what-are-the-qualifications-for-the-earned-income-credit-e...

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant