Do I need to file Self-Employed?

[Odomj]

I worked as a  driver for DoorDash while searching for a new job, and during that time I only made $250.25
I don't want to pay for the stupid "Deluxe" package which would cause me to lose a good portion of my return. Will there be any consequences if I don't file this part?

[AamilD]

It depends. If your total income was $250.25 and you did not make any other income in the year, the you don't have to file taxes. However, if you have other income which exceeds the standard deduction limits ($12,550 for single taxpayer) then you will have to file taxes.

So if all your self employment income (DoorDash and other Self Employed Income) was below $400, then you don't have to file taxes. However, if you have other sources of income and they exceed $12,550 for single filing status, then you will have to file.

[Odomj]

Okay, so I made less than $400 working under DoorDash, but I also made about $10,700 working other jobs. Just to make sure, I do not have to report my self-employed earnings because my other earnings are under the $12k amount specified?

[ErnieS0]

Possibly, As awesome Tax Expert @AamilD said you don't have to file a federal return. The IRS has a standard deduction of $12,550 for single taxpayers for 2021 and you owe no self-employment tax because your gig income was below $400.

Some state tax limits are lower and many states require a federal federal if you want to e-file, so you may have to file state even if you don't have to file federal.

If you had withholding from working other jobs, you can file to get a federal and/or state return to get refund.

[DanP0428]

TurboTax is meant for people who make more than $73,000 a year, often a lot more.   The IRS has programs to make filing taxes completely free for people like you.  Go to the IRS website for Free File and find a program to file your taxes.

Free File: Do your Federal Taxes for Free | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

[Odomj]

@ErnieS0Alright, so I live in West Virginia and couldn't find the tax limit, but I'll assume it's about $400. Based on the info you and @AamilD provided, I do not need to include the $250 I made through DoorDash? I really want to make sure I don't wind up in hot water with the IRS over this just because I didn't wanna lose money over TurboTax Deluxe.

[fanfare]

If you file a return, you have to report all income.

If you are under the filing threshold, you don't have to file !