<p>I am in the process of filling out the CSS and it asks questions as if I were filling out a 1040EZ tax return for 2008. I have held a part time job, but 2008 income was less than $2000 so I am under the assumption I do not need to file with the IRS. How should I respond to these questions on CSS?</p>
<p>I believe you must still list your earned income from 2008, regardless of whether you are required to file or not. If I remember correctly from last year, there is a question on the Profile that asks what tax form the student will be filing, and you are allowed to select "will not file, not required" (or something along this idea). </p>
<p>Also, I am not a tax expert ... although you are not required to file, I don't understand why you wouldn't do it, especially if you had any federal or state taxes deducted from your paycheck. If your income is below a certain amount (which is typically the case when your are not required to file), you are pretty get all of your taxes paid refunded to you when you file the 1040ez. There are free file tax opens (like turbotax, etc) that allow you to submit your form online without paying anything so it wont even cost you anything to get your refund. Just something to consider ...</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that just because you're not required to file a Federal return, doesn't mean you're not required to file a State return. The filing amounts are different.</p>