Do I even have to file a tax return if my income is low?

It depends on your income, filing status, age, and type of income. The IRS sets a filing threshold each year, roughly tied to the standard deduction; if your income is below it, you may not be required to file. But filing anyway is often worth it: it is the only way to get back taxes that were withheld from your paychecks and to claim refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the refundable part of the Child Tax Credit, which can pay you even with no tax owed. Self-employment income above a small IRS threshold requires filing regardless. When in doubt, use the IRS 'Do I Need to File?' tool, and remember that skipping a return can mean leaving a refund unclaimed.