Workers Should File Tax Returns Even If It's Not Required: IRS Spokeswoman

Workers should still file a return for 2012 even if they have determined that it is not required for them to do so, an IRS spokeswoman said.

A variety of factors determine whether those who have earned income during the past year need to file a tax return, including income amount, filing status and age.

IRS spokeswoman Dianne Besunder said even those who are not required to file a tax return should consider doing it for five reasons:

1. An employee could be due a refund if an employer withheld federal tax income from their paychecks or if they made estimated tax payments. Also, a refund could be made for a prior year overpayment applied to this year’s tax.

2. If an employee earned less than $50,270 last year, they could qualify for EITC, a refundable tax credit. Families with qualifying children could get up to $5,891.

3. If a worker has at least one qualifying child and doesn’t get the full amount of the Child Tax Credit, they could qualify for an additional refundable credit. To file, use Schedule 8812, Child Tax Credit.

4. Those who support a student in their first four years of postsecondary education could eligible for the American Opportunity Credit and receive as much as $2,500. Even those who owe no tax can get up to $1,000 of the credit as cash back for each eligible student. To file, use Form 8863, Education Credits.

5. Those receiving trade adjustment assistance, reemployment trade adjustment assistance, alternative trade adjustment assistance or pension benefit payments from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation could be eligible for a Health Coverage Tax Credit. Spouses and dependents could also be eligible.

For more information, visit the IRS’s website.