How do I file a return if I have no taxable income?

If you're asking, "Do I have to file taxes if I didn’t work?" or "Can you get a tax refund with no income?", you're not alone. Many people find themselves in this situation and aren’t sure what to do. Here's a simple guide to help you understand your options when you have no taxable income.

Do I Need to File Taxes If I Didn't Work?

In most cases, no—if you had no income during the year, the IRS doesn’t require you to file a tax return. But there are some good reasons why you might want to file anyway:

• To claim refundable tax credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit)
• To receive stimulus payments or other government benefits
• To keep your information up to date with the IRS

So even if you have no file taxes requirement, filing can still be a smart move.

If You Have No Income, Can You Get a Tax Refund?

Yes, but only in certain situations. You may be eligible for a refund if:

• You had federal or state taxes withheld from a paycheck earlier in the year
• You qualify for refundable credits

If neither of these applies, you likely won’t receive a refund if you had no income.

How to File a Return with No Taxable Income

If you attempt to file a return with no taxable income, the IRS may reject it. To avoid this, you can report a nominal amount—such as $1 of interest income—to successfully file your return.

How to Add $1 of Interest Income (Step-by-Step)

To file your return with no income and avoid rejection, follow these steps to add $1 of interest income:

1. Select Federal from the navigation bar.
2. Choose Income from the same menu.
3. Click on 1099-INT, DIV, OID from the Income page.
4. Answer Yes to the question: "Did you earn any interest or dividend income from a bank, brokerage firm or some other financial institution?"
5. Select Interest Income (Form 1099-INT) and press Continue.
6. In the form:
   • Enter your name in the Payer’s Name field.
   • Enter $1 in the Interest Income (Box 1) field.
7. Press Continue to save your entries and proceed with filing.

This workaround allows you to file a return even if you have no file taxes requirement due to no taxable income.