I am claiming my girlfriend as a dependent because she was unemployed (and didn't receive unemployment benefits). Does she also still need to file a return?

[martyyaple]

She made less than $4700 this year, she lived with me all year, and I paid for way more than half of her living expenses.

[VolvoGirl]

Not unless she has any income.  If she got a W2 she can file to get back any withholding taken out in box 2.  Did she get anything like Social Security or ssi?  

[DoninGA]

If she was an employee and received a W-2 and had taxes withheld she should file a tax return to get a refund of the taxes.  If she does file a return make sure that she indicates on the return that she can be claimed as a dependent.

If there were no taxes withheld from her wages on the W-2 there is no reason to file a return since she is below the filing requirements based on her income.

However, if her income was from self-employment then she is required to file a tax return since the income was $400 or more and file a Schedule C for her self-employment income and expenses.

[Mike9241]

she could file for a refund if that $4700 was all w-2 income and federal or state income taxes were withheld (state laws vary on the amount that may be taxable so she may have to file state even if she there is no federal income tax liability.  if more than $400 of that was self-employment income she needs to file because there will be self-employment tax even if she's due a refund.