I’m 19-24, should I file a tax return?
Most tax benefits—including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and stimulus payments—are only available to individuals who cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return. Most individuals who are full-time students between the ages of 19-24 are someone else's dependent (typically their parent or guardian)—unless they can prove that they pay for over half of their living expenses including housing, food, medical/dental, and personal expenses.
Generally, if you are between the ages of 19 and 24 you should file your own tax return if you are not a full-time student and you made over $4,700 in the tax year.
Even if you can be claimed on another person's tax return, you may still benefit from filing a tax return if you had a job and taxes were withheld from your paycheck. When filing a return to claim any unused withholdings, make sure to indicate you can be claimed on someone else's tax return.
Generally, if you are between the ages of 19 and 24 you should file your own tax return if you are not a full-time student and you made over $4,700 in the tax year.
Even if you can be claimed on another person's tax return, you may still benefit from filing a tax return if you had a job and taxes were withheld from your paycheck. When filing a return to claim any unused withholdings, make sure to indicate you can be claimed on someone else's tax return.