Millions file taxes, even if they don't need to
Many factors used to determine eligibility
By: Andrea Riquier
USA Today
..... While not every American is required to file a tax return, most will - and there may be good reason to file even for those who are not required to do so.
.....
Filing taxes can be good for those who can claim tax credits or overpayment or otherwise have money returned to them.
..... For a person to determine whether they're one of the millions who must file a return, they should state with three things: their gross income (total income before taxes and adjustments), their age and their filing status
* Single Filing Status: $15,750 if younger than 65; $17,750 if 65 or older.
* Married, Filing jointly: $31,500 if both spouses are younger than 65; $33,100 if one spouse is younger that 65; and one is 65 or older; $34,700 if both spouses are 65 or older.
* Married, filing separately: $5 for all ages.
* Head of Household: $23,625 if younger than 65; $25,625 if 65 or older
* Qualifying Surviving Spouse: $31,500 if younger than 65; $33,100 if 65 or older.
Other reasons to file taxes
..... People with "special situations" may have to file regardless of income.
* Owing any special taxes. Examples of these special taxes include alternative minimum tax; additional tax on a qualified plan; Social Security or Medicare tax on tips hat weren't reported to an employer, or on wages received from an employer who didn't withhold these taxes; uncollected Social Security, Medicare or railroad retirement tax on tips reported to an employer, or on group-term life insurance and additional taxes on health savings accounts; household employment taxes; and recapture taxes.
* People who brought, or whose spouse bought (if filing jointly) helaht insurance from a state or federal marketplace or received health savings account distributions.
* People who had net earnings from self-employment of at least 4400.
* People who had wages of $108.28 or more from a church or qualified church-controlled organization that's exempt from employer Social Security and Medicare taxes.
..... If a person can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return, their tax filing requirements are different.
Filing when to required
* People not required to file but had income tax withheld form their paycheck can get a refund of that amount.
* People who overpaid. For example, those who made estimated tax payments or had any overpayment from a previous year applied to this year's estimated tax, might be due money back.
* People who qualify for the earned income tax credit could get a refund even if they don't ow taxes.
* People who qualify for the American Opportunity Credit, used to help pay for post-high-school education expenses,c an get a maximum annual credit of $2,500 per illegible student and 40%, or $1,000, could be refunded if they own no tax.