No tax expert here - but whether you have to pay taxes or you owe 'nothing' , it is always a good idea to 'file', even if you are filing 'Zero'. If you have lean years and filed, zero years where you didn't file, and suddenly have to pay taxes again - you may provoke someone at the IRS into researching those 'zero years'. I always file, whether I owe money or not, simply for the peace of mind.

I thought this was the way to figure it, and now you have confirmed it. I was wondering about next years taxes.... it is just me now, husband died last year. Small retirement from previous job is $2500.oo a year. So it looks like no taxes for me. I assume I will still have to 'file'...even tho I will owe nothing, will be getting nothing back next tax time. Thanks for the info.

Holy moly... My mother has been living with me for almost 3 years, and I have never filed taxes for her. Before her stroke almost 3 years ago, I assumed that she filed her taxes, but now Im not sure.Is it necessary?