Filing requirements when married with lower than min taxable income and need to qualify for social services benefits

[frank112]

Hi

Assume:

1.  We do not have any IRS refunds to request back.

2.  We are making less than the below amount from all income sources including W2s,

Married Filing Jointly

Both under age 65

$24,400

Do we need to file a tax return?

If we do not need to file, is there a benefit to filing the tax return if we qualify for social services benefits and those agencies may require a tax return to validate which benefits we could qualify for?

Thanks

[xmasbaby0]

You can file a tax return if you want to, even if you are below the filing requirements.  Whether doing so will help you as you seek certain benefits, we cannot say.   If it does not let you e-file, add $1 of interest income and you should be able to e-file.

[VolvoGirl]

And it depends what kind of income you have.  Do you have anything besides W2s?  Or if they took out withholding you want to file to get any withholding back.

[frank112]

We have a 1099-NEC for a small amount

The W2 does not show any tax withholdings.

We have a small 1099-INT.

Thanks in advance.

PS. https://www.healthforcalifornia.com/covered-california/health-insurance-companies/medi-cal/apply It includes:

• Federal tax information: The head of the household and their dependents need to provide their federal tax information. You could still become eligible for Medi-Cal even if you don’t file taxes.