I’m 19-24, should I file a tax return?

It depends! 

Most people 19-24 either qualify as someone’s dependent or qualify to file on their own. If you are a full-time student and/or your parent or guardian pays more than half of your living expenses, you’re likely included on their tax return. If you had a job, you may want to file your own tax return to get back any money that may have been withheld from your paycheck. You’ll let the IRS know you’re also a dependent on someone else’s return when you file so it’s important to coordinate with your parent or guardian. 

If you lived independently and pay all or most of your own living expenses, you probably qualify to file taxes on your own and may be eligible for additional tax credits that can help you get a bigger refund, especially if you have children. 

If you aren’t sure what type of tax return you should file,  we recommend filing with our File with Help option so you can connect  with an IRS-certified tax team.