To file taxes for the first time, collect your forms (a W-2 from each employer, plus any 1099s), find out whether a parent will claim you as a dependent, then file a federal return and, in most states, a state return by the deadline, usually mid-April. IRS.gov lists free filing options. This page is general education; for your situation, ask a tax professional.
A note before you start
Tax rules, income limits and forms change from year to year. We deliberately do not list dollar thresholds here because they go out of date. The official source is IRS.gov. For anything specific to you (whether you must file, which credits apply, how to report gig income), talk with a qualified tax professional or a free IRS-sponsored help site.
January and February: gather your forms
Employers and banks send tax forms early in the year, often by the end of January. Make a folder, paper or digital, and collect:
- W-2 from every employer you worked for during the year, even briefly.
- 1099 forms if you did freelance or gig work, earned bank interest or received certain other payments.
- Form 1098-T from your college if you paid tuition; it may matter for education credits, which you or your parents might claim.
- Your last pay stub of the year, to compare with your W-2. Our guide on reading a pay stub helps.
- Last year’s return, if you filed one, and your bank account and routing numbers for a direct deposit refund.
Talk with your parents first
This is the step first-time filers skip, and it causes the most headaches. If your parents can claim you as a dependent, your return has to reflect that, and two people claiming the same person can delay both returns. Ask directly: will you be claiming me this year? If yes, there is a question on your return for it. Your family’s tax preparer, if they have one, can answer how it affects everyone. It is also a natural moment to talk about what other financial tasks are shifting to you; see our turning 18 checklist.
Choosing how to file
Most first-time filers have simple returns. Common routes:
- IRS Free File. Guided software offered through IRS.gov for people under an income limit, plus fillable forms for anyone comfortable doing it themselves.
- Free in-person help. IRS-sponsored volunteer sites help people who qualify, often at libraries and community centers. Search for VITA on IRS.gov.
- Paid software or a tax professional. Worth it if you had gig income, moved states during the year or have a situation you are unsure about.
- Your state return. Most states with an income tax require their own return; your state revenue department’s site explains how.
Even if you earned little, filing can be worth it: if tax was withheld from your paychecks, filing is how you may get some of it back.
Deadlines, extensions and refunds
- The federal deadline is usually around April 15; it shifts when that date falls on a weekend or holiday.
- An extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay anything you owe.
- Choose direct deposit for a refund; it is usually faster than a paper check.
- Keep a copy of your return and your forms for several years.
- If you owe and cannot pay all at once, IRS.gov explains payment plans. Do not ignore a balance.
Spotting tax scams
Scammers target young and first-time filers. The IRS generally makes first contact by mail, not by text, social media or a surprise phone call demanding payment. Never pay with gift cards or wire transfers because someone says you owe, and never share your Social Security number with someone who contacted you first. If you are unsure, look up the official number yourself and call.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor is not a tax preparer and will not tell you what to file. What a mentor can do is help you set up the folder in January, put the parent conversation and filing date on the calendar, and make sure it actually happens before April. These are the habits we work on in money and life skills and young adult mentoring.
Related
- How to read a pay stub
- Budgeting for young adults
- Side hustles for young adults
- Financial aid basics
- How to fill out a W-4
Common questions
Do I have to file taxes if I barely worked?
It depends on your income and situation, and the limits change yearly, so check IRS.gov. Even when it is not required, filing may get back tax that was withheld.
Can my parents still claim me if I file my own return?
Yes, in many cases. You can file your own return while a parent claims you, but your return must say so; coordinate with them before you file.
Where can I file for free?
IRS.gov lists IRS Free File options and free volunteer help sites for people who qualify. Many states have free options too.
Does gig or freelance work change things?
Usually, yes. Self-employment income has its own rules and may require extra forms or payments, so read the IRS guidance or talk with a tax professional.
Get started
Want help getting money tasks like taxes on the calendar and done? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.