Ask an AI Accountant

Yes, you still need to file a tax return even if you made less than $12,000. Since you received payment by check for one of your jobs, you might have been classified as an independent contractor for that job. If you received more than $400 in self-employment income (income where you were not an employee), you would need to file a tax return and report this income on Schedule C and Schedule SE to calculate your self-employment taxes. It's also a good idea to file a tax return if you had taxes withheld from your other jobs, as you may be entitled to a refund. Additionally, you might qualify for tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which could result in a refund even if you're not required to file a tax return based on your income alone.