Do I Need To File A Tax Return

You must file a tax return if your income is above a certain level. The amount varies depending on filing status, age and the type of income you receive. Even if you determine that you don’t have to file, there are several reasons why you may want to file anyway.

• Federal Income Tax Withheld. You should file to get money back if Federal Income Tax was withheld from your pay, if you made estimated tax payments, or had a prior year overpayment applied to this year's tax.

• Recovery Rebate Credit. If you did not qualify or did not receive the maximum amount for the 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment, you may be entitled to a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2008 tax return.

• Earned Income Tax Credit. You may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, if you worked, but did not earn a lot of money.  EITC is a refundable tax credit meaning you could qualify for a tax refund.

• Additional Child Tax Credit. This credit may be available to you if you have at least one qualifying child and you did not get the full amount of the Child Tax Credit.

• First time Homebuyer Credit. If you bought a main home after April 8, 2008, and before July 1, 2009 and did not own a main home during the prior 3 years, you may be able to take this refundable credit.

Don't leave money on the table for the IRS.  If any of the above apply, you should file a return to claim any refund due.

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