If your employer withheld tax from your pay but you don't have to file, what should you do?

File anyway if you can get money back.

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  1. Skip it
  2. Ask for a bigger paycheck
  3. File to get your refund ✔

Why: Withholding is tax taken from each paycheck. If too much was taken, you only get it back by filing.

Huh, didn't know that: Publication 501 lists having income tax withheld from your pay as a reason to file.

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Why don't skunks have to pay taxes? Because they have only one scent.
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References

Answer: File to get your refund. Withholding is tax taken from each paycheck. If too much was taken, you only get it back by filing.

  1. IRS Publication 501 (2025) www.irs.gov/publications/p501
    Even if you don't have to file, you should file a tax return if you can get money back.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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