Do I Need to File a Tax Return?
You may not have to file a federal income tax return if your income is below a certain amount. But, you must file a tax return to claim a refundable tax credit or a refund for withheld income tax. Find out if you have to file a tax return.
Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits and Economic Impact Payments (EIP)
You may have received unemployment benefits or an EIP (stimulus check) in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unemployment compensation is considered taxable income. You must report unemployment benefits on your tax return if you are required to file.
If you received the EIP, you do not need to report it as income whether you’re required to file a tax return or not. If you did not receive some or all of your stimulus payments, you may claim missing stimulus money that you are owed by filing for a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 return.
