Why You Might Want to File an Income Tax Return

You have to file an income tax return if your incomeYou may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit if
exceeds a certain amount. The required amountyou worked but did not earn much money. The EITC
depends upon things like your filing status, your age,is a refundable credit, which means that you could get
and how you earn your income. Even if you are in themoney back simply by filing for the credit, but you
rare minority of citizens who are not required to file aneed to claim the credit on a tax return.
tax return, you might want to file anyway, if certainYou may qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit, if
circumstances pertain to you. Such as:you have a qualifying child.
If you had federal taxes withheld from your pay orYou may qualify for the First Time Home-buyer Tax
you made estimated tax payments, you may beCredit if you bought a home anytime in 2009 or on or
eligible for a refund. You cannot get a refund if you dobefore April 20, 2010. The maximum credit you could
not file an income tax return.receive is $8000, but you must file an income tax
If you have earned income from employment, youreturn to claim the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.
may be eligible for the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.Certain persons receiving Trade Adjustment
You need to file an income tax return in order toAssistance, Reemployment Trade Adjustment
benefit from this credit.Assistance, or a pension from the Pension Benefit
You may be eligible for the Government Retiree TaxGuaranty Corporation may be eligible to have 80% of
Credit if you received a government pension ortheir monthly health insurance premiums paid through
annuity. You cannot collect this credit if you do not filethe Health Coverage Tax Credit, when filing their 2009
a tax return.return.