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If the cost to file taxes is more than refund, must I file?

Retired, not filed in the last two years, it costs me way more to file, than my refund.
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2 Replies

If the cost to file taxes is more than refund, must I file?

The cost of the software is not based on the amount of your refund.  It is based on the version of the software you used to prepare your tax return, and would be the same even if the result was that you owe instead of get a small refund.  

 

But....if you want to find a different or free way to file:

 

 

Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site

 

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

 

Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File

 

 

In Filing Season 2025, Direct File will be available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

 

https://directfile.irs.gov/

 

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2629

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

If the cost to file taxes is more than refund, must I file?

The fee doesn’t affect if you need to file or not.  If you have enough income to file the IRS doesn’t know if you are getting a Refund and might think you have a tax due.

 

Do you need to file a return?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/filing-and-paying-taxes/help/do-i-need-to-file-a-federal-return-th...

 

IRS Do I need to file?

Do I Need to File a Tax Return? | Internal Revenue Service

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