This blog post equips service providers with ready-to-use language for responding to newcomers’ common questions about U.S. taxes. Topics covered include filing requirements, income reporting, refunds, payment plans, and how immigration status intersects with tax obligations. You can use these responses as a starting point for client conversations and refer newcomers to tax professionals for personalized guidance.
During tax season, you’re likely to get some questions from newcomers about how the U.S. tax system works and how to file their annual tax return. Unless you’re a certified tax professional, it is not your role to prepare taxes for clients nor give specific tax advice. However, having clear, accurate language ready can help you respond confidently to clients’ tax-related questions and connect them to appropriate resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to pay in taxes?
This depends on a variety of factors, including your income, family composition, and location. We can use this withholding estimator to determine how much tax you should be paying from your paycheck throughout the year. When you file your annual tax return, your tax preparer will let you know if you qualify for any additional credits or deductions and if you will receive a refund or owe money to the government.
Do I need to file a tax return?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that people whose income is above a certain amount file their taxes. We can check if you earned above the IRS’s minimum income thresholds to see if you need to file. Even if you didn’t earn above that amount, if you arrived after July 1st, it might benefit you to file, because you could be eligible for certain tax credits and deductions based on your family situation.
How much will I get as a refund?
A variety of factors go into calculating how much you owe in taxes and if you may receive a refund. Some examples of these factors are how much you paid in taxes during the year, your income, and your family composition. A certified tax preparer or tax professional can look at all these factors and give you an idea of what you will receive as a refund.
I arrived in the country last year and started working later in the year. Do I need to file a tax return?
If you earned income above the IRS’s minimum income thresholds and have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), then you are responsible for filing your taxes. We can check if you earned above the minimum required income to file taxes for your family. Even if you didn’t earn above that, if you arrived after July 1st, you could be eligible for certain tax credits and deductions based on your family situation.
Do I need to report cash income on my tax return?
Yes, any income you earn should be reported on your tax return. If you have not paid taxes on cash income already, you may end up owing money to cover the taxes on this income.
What should I do if I don’t think my employer has been taking enough money out of my paychecks for taxes?
The Form W-4 you completed when you started working tells your employer how much to take out of your paychecks for taxes. You can change your W-4 at any time with your supervisor or your Human Resources Department. We can look at this withholding calculator to see how to fill out the W-4 form accurately, so you don’t owe money when you file your tax return.
I worked full-time at my main employer, but I also worked two gig jobs. How do I report that for my taxes?
When you go to get your taxes prepared, bring all your income documents with you. In your case, you’ll need to bring your W-2 from your main employer and the two 1099s from your gig employment. The 1099 forms are available on most gig app dashboards. We can download them and print them out for you in January when they are available. Just a note: gig work apps usually don’t take taxes out of your pay, so you may end up owing some money when you file your return.
Helpful Resources on Tax Law and Tax Basics for Newcomers:
- eLearning Course: Supporting Newcomers with U.S. Income Taxes
- Guide: Supporting Newcomers Through the Tax Process
If I don’t pay my taxes, will that negatively affect me or my immigration status?
Paying taxes is a civic responsibility in the United States and is a requirement for anyone who has income above a certain level. Not paying taxes could result in fees, interest on amounts owed, and other negative consequences. Paying your taxes can be a factor that the government considers when they are reviewing certain immigration applications, such as naturalization/citizenship applications.
If my employment status or immigration status changed during the year, do I still need to file?
Paying taxes is a civic responsibility in the United States and is a requirement for anyone who has income above a certain level. If you have income above the required threshold and had a valid ITIN or Social Security Number during the year, then you are responsible for paying taxes and filing your tax return.
I have a friend who got a much higher refund than me. Did my tax preparer file my taxes incorrectly?
There are many factors that go into what you need to pay in taxes and what credits or deductions you qualify for. Your situation might differ from your friend. It’s also possible that there could be an error on your return. You can always go back to the organization or tax professional that helped you file your taxes to review the information that was submitted. If there was an error, you can complete an amended or corrected return.
How do I file my taxes?
There are a few places where you can file your taxes. If your household made less than $67,000 in 2025, you can have your taxes prepared by a local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. If you made less than $89,000 and would be comfortable filing online by yourself, you may also access the IRS Free File program. If your income is above these amounts or you have more complex tax questions, we can look up some reputable local tax professionals and set up a tax filing appointment for you. They will likely charge you a fee for their service, depending on your situation.
What do I bring to my tax filing appointment?
When you go to your tax filing appointment, you’ll want to bring the following: IDs and Social Security or ITIN information for everyone in your household; income documentation, such as W-2s, 1099s, or other earning information; expense information such as child care expenses, tuition expenses, mortgage and property taxes, and auto loan interest statements (if the car was purchased in 2025); bank account information for direct deposit; and previous tax returns. You can find a full list of what to bring to your tax appointment here.
I filed my tax return and was told I owe money. I don’t have the full amount owed right now. What can I do?
It’s important to prioritize paying back the taxes you owe, because not paying could result in fees, interest, and more serious consequences. You can set up a payment plan with the IRS on their website here, or we can speak with the IRS taxpayer advocate service for guidance.
After filing my taxes, I was told I was eligible for a refund, but I haven’t received any money. What should I do?
Your refund could take anywhere from three weeks to several months to arrive, depending on processing time and whether more information is needed. We can check the status of your federal refund here. For state refunds, we can check your state’s office of taxation website to see the status of your refund.
I forgot to do my annual tax return. Am I in trouble?
You can still file your tax return after the April 15th deadline, but you may be subject to a penalty or interest on any taxes owed. Let’s connect you with a tax professional who can assist you in filing.
The deadline to file an annual tax return is in a few days and I cannot find an appointment with a tax preparer. What do I do?
You can request an extension to file your taxes, which gives you until October 15th to submit your tax return. To request an extension, you can use IRS Free File, go to an IRS e-filing partner or tax professional, or mail in Form 4686, where you will be asked to estimate how much you owe in taxes. You can use a tax estimator such as this to help see what your tax obligations are.
Additional Resources
Switchboard:
- eLearning Course: Supporting Newcomers with Income Taxes
- Guide: Supporting Newcomers Through the Tax Process
- Video: Settle In: Taxes 101 Series for Newcomers: Part 1 (English)
- Video: Settle In: Taxes 101 Series for Newcomers: Part 2 (English)
IRS Resources:
- IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service
- IRS’s Minimum Income Thresholds
- Tax Withholding Estimator
- Find My Refund
- Setting Up a Payment Plan
- Find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site
Other Resources
The IRC received competitive funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant #90RB0053. The project is 100% financed by federal funds. The contents of this document are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
