FIRE, total income is $8k dividends, should I bother filing?

[grenzbegriff]

I left my job in 2017.  My only tax form in 2018 is 1099-DIV with about $8k qualified dividends.  I'm not aware of any tax credits I could get.. no kids, no home, no business, no college.  My total income is less than the standard deduction and less than the california minimum requirement to file.  Is there some reason to file taxes that I'm missing?

[dandarc]

Try https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return for federal. There are some questions about health insurance that could mean you have to file depending on how you answer.

[Much Fishing to Do]

maybe aca subsidy/credits?

I'd probably just file a free simple ez form (which I guess now is just the 1040 without any of those new schedules) just to reduce the chance of them contacting me later asking why I didn't file (including much later, as not filing gives them forever I think to come back and ask), especially given you did have to file in 2017.

[MustacheAndaHalf]

Sounds ideal for a free tax solution, or e-filing.  You just enter the 1099-div data, print a copy, and attempt to file taxes.

Also, unless your retirement accounts are 100% Roth, when you're not working you can still fill up the 0% tax bracket.  Roth Conversions within that 0% bracket cost you nothing in taxes.

[Livingthedream55]

Sounds ideal for a free tax solution, or e-filing.  You just enter the 1099-div data, print a copy, and attempt to file taxes.

Also, unless your retirement accounts are 100% Roth, when you're not working you can still fill up the 0% tax bracket.  Roth Conversions within that 0% bracket cost you nothing in taxes.

Great idea! If you have state taxes you may have to pay a little in state taxes for any conversions.