Do You Need to File Federal Taxes?

Ah, taxes. The word alone is enough to make most people cringe. But like taking out the trash or charging your phone before it dies, filing your federal tax return is just one of those must-do life tasks. Whether you love spreadsheets or avoid paperwork like the plague, the truth is: tax filing doesn’t have to be painful.

You might be asking, “Do I really need to file taxes?” The answer depends on a few things—mainly your income, age, and filing status. 

Here’s the good news: we’re here to cut through the confusion and give it to you straight—no tax jargon, no legalese.

So grab your favorite mug, cozy up, and let’s make sense of this whole tax thing together.

The Basics of Federal Income Tax

Here’s what you need to know about filing with the IRS. First, the Federal income tax is the money that the IRS collects from you based on how much you earn every year. Think of it as your contribution to keeping the country running—funding things like roads, schools, disaster relief, and public transportation.

For Tax Year 2025 (filed in 2026), federal income tax rates range from 10% to 37%, depending on your income and filing status. The U.S. uses a progressive tax system, so only the portion of income over each threshold is taxed at the higher rate. Want to see where your income lands? Check the IRS 2025 tax brackets here.

Now here’s the part most people miss—filing your taxes isn’t just about following the rules. You might actually get money back. A lot of folks qualify for refundable tax credits, even if they didn’t earn enough to be required to file. So, filing can be a smart move, even if you think you’re off the hook.

Who Needs to File? Key IRS Criteria

The IRS uses four main criteria to decide if you need to file a return:

• Gross income
• Filing status
• Age
• Dependency and self-employment status

Let’s unpack each.

Income Thresholds by Filing Status and Age (Tax Year 2025 – Returns Due April 15, 2026)

Your gross income includes wages, salaries, tips, rental income, freelance gigs, and even foreign income.

Here’s the breakdown for Tax Year 2025 (filed by April 15, 2026):

Single:

• Under 65: $15,000
• 65 or older: $16,950

Married Filing Jointly:

• Both under 65: $30,000
• One over 65: $31,550
• Both over 65: $33,100

Married Filing Separately:

• All ages: $5

Head of Household:

• Under 65: $22,500
• 65 or older: $24,450

Qualifying Widow(er):

• Under 65: $30,000
• 65 or older: $31,550

📌 These thresholds are based on the IRS standard deduction for Tax Year 2025 and determine whether you’re required to file a federal return in 2026. Source: IRS.gov – 2025 Inflation Adjustments

What’s Your Filing Status?

The IRS recognizes five statuses:

• Single
• Married Filing Jointly
• Married Filing Separately
• Head of Household
• Qualifying Widow(er)

Your filing status affects your standard deduction and eligibility for credits. For example, Married Filing Jointly generally unlocks bigger tax breaks.

Dependents: Kids, Parents & More

Got kids? Caring for an aging parent? You might qualify for valuable tax benefits, even if you're not technically required to file. You might qualify for deductions and credits like:

• Child Tax Credit (up to $2,000 per child)
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - For Tax Year 2025 (filed in 2026), the maximum credit is $8,046 for families with three or more children. You may still qualify with fewer kids—or even no kids—depending on your income and filing status.
• Dependent Care Credit

If you support dependents or share household expenses, you may also qualify to file as Head of Household, which gives you a higher standard deduction and lower tax rate.

Even if your income is below the filing threshold, filing could result in a refund—but only if you submit a return. Don’t leave money on the table.

Freelancers, Side Hustlers & Small Biz Owners

Earned more than $400 from self-employment? Uncle Sam wants a word. You’ll need to file and pay:

• Income tax
• Self-employment tax (for Social Security & Medicare)

Pro tip: Quarterly estimated payments can save you from penalties. Bonus: You can deduct eligible business expenses, like your home office or that fancy standing desk.

Unique Situations

Special scenarios can change your tax obligations:

• Foreign income: May qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion—up to $130,000 for Tax Year 2025
• Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) or household employee taxes

When in doubt? Ask our pros. You get five expert Q&As every month with your FileSmart membership.

FAQs

Do I need to file taxes if I made under $10,000?

It depends on your filing status and age. But even if you don’t have to, you might want to—you could qualify for refundable credits.

What happens if I don’t file taxes?

You may face penalties, interest, and miss out on a refund. E.file-tax.net makes filing painless, so there’s no reason to risk it.

I’m self-employed. Do I need to file?

Yes, if you earned $400 or more. You’ll need to file, and you may also need to pay self-employment tax.

Can I get help figuring this out?

Absolutely! Members can ask our tax experts up to 5 questions each month.

Is there a free tool to check if I need to file?

Yes! Try the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant.

What Happens If You Don’t File?

Skipping your tax return can cost you—literally.

Penalties for not filing include:

• Late fees & interest on unpaid taxes
• Loss of refunds (if not claimed within 3 years)
• Wage garnishments or legal action in extreme cases

Bottom line: it's easier (and cheaper) to file—even if you owe nothing.

H2: Let’s Make Tax Season a Breeze

Filing your federal return doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether it's your first time or you just need a little help navigating the process, our DIY tax software walks you through it—step by step.

You’ll get:

• A guided experience based on your unique tax situation
• Built-in prompts to help uncover common deductions and credits
• Fast, secure filing—no guesswork, no jargon

Don’t stress tax season. Just answer a few simple questions and let our software do the heavy lifting.

👉 Start filing now at e.file-tax.net and finish with confidence.