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Maximize Your Benefits: Why You Should File Taxes Even When Not Required

Even if you're not mandated to file a tax return due to your income level, there are numerous compelling reasons to consider doing so. Filing could unlock valuable tax credits and optimize your financial picture. Let’s delve into the potential benefits you might be leaving on the table.

In general, if your income doesn’t exceed the standard deduction for your filing status, filing a return isn't required. However, many taxpayers might find substantial advantage in filing regardless, from accessing refundable tax credits to utilizing carryover deductions.

For the 2025 tax year, the income thresholds for filing a tax return are as follows:

2025 INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX FILING THRESHOLDS

FILING STATUS

UNDER AGE 65

AGE 65 OR OLDER

Single

$15,750

$17,750

Head of Household

$23,625

$25,625

Married, Filing Jointly

$31,500 (if both spouses are under 65)

$33,100 (if one spouse is 65+)
$34,700 (if both are 65+)

Married, Filing Separately

$5 (any age)

$5 (any age)

Qualifying Surviving Spouse

$31,500

$33,100

Consider Filing If:

  • Your net earnings from self-employment amounted to $400 or more.

  • You owe specific taxes, such as the Alternative Minimum Tax.

  • You received prepayments for health insurance credits.

  • Your income from a religious organization exceeded certain limits.

  • You owe household employment taxes or have uncollected Social Security or Medicare taxes.

  • You withdrew from an HSA.

Don’t leave money behind. Start your tax return today.
Get every dollar you deserve. Start your tax return today. We help working families, single parents, and self-employed earners file accurate tax returns that capture every available credit and deduction—quickly, clearly, and in full compliance with IRS rules. Simple process. Real support. Results you can trust.
CLICK HERE

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Filing for Dependents: When dependents are in the picture, the filing requirements can change, necessitating a return if unearned or earned income exceeds specified amounts.

Not filing could mean forfeiting:

  • Tax Withholding: Withheld federal income tax might be refunded if filing isn’t required.

  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Providing hefty refunds, EITC can be a significant boon for low-income creators, potentially up to $8,046 in 2025.

  • Child Tax Credit (CTC): Beneficial for parents with children under 17, offering up to $2,200 per child.

  • American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC): Helping with education expenses, offering up to $2,500 per student, with part of it refundable.

  • Premium Tax Credit: Offsetting insurance costs when using the Marketplace.

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Utilizing Carryover Deductions - Deductions such as Net Operating Losses, charitable contributions, passive activity losses, and capital losses should be leveraged by filing a return.

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Key Considerations:

  1. State Program Eligibility: Federal filings can impact state benefits.

  2. Future Financial Planning: Solid filing history can facilitate future financial ventures.

  3. Identity Protection: Filing helps safeguard against identity theft.

Ultimately, even if not obligated to file, the potential for considerable refunds and tax benefits makes filing worth considering. The IRS notes that around 25% of eligible filers miss out on the EITC alone. To ensure you're not leaving money on the table, reach out to a tax professional to determine if filing could be financially advantageous. Past-year filings might also present refund opportunities.

Don’t leave money behind. Start your tax return today.
Get every dollar you deserve. Start your tax return today. We help working families, single parents, and self-employed earners file accurate tax returns that capture every available credit and deduction—quickly, clearly, and in full compliance with IRS rules. Simple process. Real support. Results you can trust.
CLICK HERE
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