Do you need to file a tax return?

You should file a tax return if you expect a refund.  You are generally required to file if your income is above the amounts specified below:

Your filing status is Single and you're:
    * younger than 65 with gross income of $9,350 or more

Your filing status is Married Filing Jointly and:
    * you are both younger than 65 with a combined gross income of $18,700 or more

For Single Dependents (claimed on someone else’s tax return)

   1. Your unearned income was more than $950 or
   2. Your earned income was more than $5,700 or
   3. Your gross income was more than the larger of —
         a. $950, or
         b.  Your earned income (up to $5,400) plus $300.

Some other situations in which you must file are:
     * You are a nonresident alien and you have income from a trade or business in the U.S., or you have income not from a trade or business, and not all the U.S. tax you owe was withheld from that income.
     * You are self-employed with net earnings of $400 or more.

The IRS provides a very helpful webpage where you can click on your response to questions to determine if you have a filing requirement. http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96623,00.html

(630) 903-9625
My Law, LLC
Immigration & Tax Law Firm
www.mylawllc.com