<prompt> Human: Im not planning to file tax this year because I make under 5k. However I have cash on the sidenothing illegal that I want to contribute to an IRA. Should I file tax on the 1k that I made anyway or should I not bother? Yes I have an emergency fund.  <response>: I would file if you are planning on contributing to an IRA. It creates the paper trail just in case anyone wonders why you contributed to an IRA but didnt report earned income for the year. Remember that your IRA contribution is the lesser of 5500 6500 if you are over 50 or your earned income for the year. 