How do I file taxes for the first time in 2025?

Filing taxes for the first time can feel overwhelming, but most first-time filers have simple returns. Here is a step-by-step guide.

What you need before starting:

• Your Social Security Number (SSN)
• W-2 from your employer (arrives by January 31)
• Any 1099 forms for other income (freelance, bank interest, investments)
• Your bank account and routing number for direct deposit of your refund

Step-by-step process:

• Determine if you need to file. For 2024, single filers under 65 must file if gross income exceeds $14,600. Even below this threshold, file if taxes were withheld (to get your refund) or you qualify for credits like the EITC.
• Choose how to file. IRS Free File (irs.gov/freefile) is free for AGI under $84,000. IRS Direct File is available in select states. Tax software like TurboTax and H&R Block offer free tiers for simple returns.
• Enter your W-2 information. Most software lets you import this directly or you can enter it manually.
• Choose the standard deduction ($14,600 single for 2024). Most first-time filers should not itemize.
• Review, sign, and e-file. Choose direct deposit for the fastest refund (usually within 21 days).

Can your parents still claim you? If you are under 19 (or under 24 and a full-time student) and your parents provide more than half your support, they can claim you as a dependent. You can still file your own return, but check the box that says "someone can claim you as a dependent." You still get your own standard deduction on earned income.

Common first-time filer mistakes: Forgetting to report all income (including cash jobs and Venmo payments), not signing the return, entering the wrong SSN, and not keeping a copy of the filed return.