<p>I earned $ 1200 during the summer and another $ 300 from tutoring. I have no assets, so no interest income, no dividends. I am a dependent on my parent's return.</p>
<p>I have been told since my total earnings are below the threshold required to file. Please help. Thank you!</p>
<p>no you don't have to file a federal return, but if you had any federal taxes taken out and you want that money back, you need to file.</p>
<p>Each state is different, mine tells anyone earning over $35 to file.</p>
<p>The income limit is @ $5450 so you do not have to file federal taxes. However if you had any taxes deducted from your earnings you should file because you will get your deducted taxes refunded. The IRS website has a freefile option that you could use to file if you are due a refund.</p>
<p>You would need to check if there is any state tax filing requirement in your state.</p>
<p>Thank you both! I should clarify, I did have any withholdings in my summer job. Nor did I get a W-2. They just gave me a check for the full amount. So, on FAFSA I should indicate I am not planning to file and state the amounts I earned? Also, if schools want verification, do I just submit the non-filer tax form?</p>
<p>I meant to say NO withholding. (I don't know how to edit the previous post)</p>
<p>Depends on whether the summer job is going to issue you a 1099. If you didn't get a W-2 it could be because they did'n't withhold taxes including social security. In which case, you have to file a return and claim that money. You won't owe Federal income tax on it, but you will owe self employment taxes.</p>
<p>I had no money withheld from my taxes. So no refund is reclaimable. Are you suggesting I still file and pay self-employment income?</p>
<p>You may want to take the documentation you receive from the summer employment and the other income to the local IRS office and discuss it with them. Depending on the tpye of employment you had over the summer (whether they use a W2 or a 1099) will determine whether you need to file a return.</p>