I filed an extension and paid what I thought was needed. Do I still file if my income is low enough not to file?

[sandys_smith]

Do i have to file taxes if my earnings were less than $12,000?

[Carl]

The only way you're going to get any tax that you paid refunded to you, is if you file a tax return.

[rjs]

If you are single, no one can claim you as a dependent, and your total income for 2022 was less than $12,950, you are not required to file a tax return.

BUT, you are also not required to pay any tax. Since you already made a payment, you are entitled to get a refund of the amount that you paid. So you should file a tax return to get the refund, even though you are not required to file. Be sure to enter the amount that you paid with the extension in your tax return.

[VolvoGirl]

What kind of income did you have?  Did you have investments or self employment income?  You might need to file for less than the 12,950 Standard Deduction.  Or to get back any withholding and extension payments.

If your extension payment did not automatically show up on your 1040 or state return you need to enter it.  So make sure it's not already there before you enter it!

For 2022 Federal Extension payments should be on schedule 3 line 10. And go to 1040 line 31.

You can type estimates paid in the search box at the top of your return and click Find and it will give you a link to Jump To the screen where you enter Extension Payments.

To enter the amount you paid with an extension (including state extension)  go to

Federal Taxes (or Personal for desktop H&B version)

Deductions and Credits

Then scroll way down to Estimates and Other Taxes Paid

Other Income Taxes - Click the Start or Update button

Next page second section Payments with Extension

Either Visit All or Click Start or Update by the extension you paid

[rjs]

I'm not sure what you mean by "earnings." Your gross income for the year has to be less than $12,950. Gross income is not just earnings from working. It's your total income including interest, dividends, capital gains, pensions, IRA distributions, gambling winnings, etc., etc.

If you had $400 or more of business income or self-employment income you are required to file a tax return, even though your total income is less than $12,950. Driving for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, etc. is self-employment income. Selling on eBay, Etsy, etc. has to be reported as business income if you have a profit on any of the items that you sell.