Filing taxes

This post is for asylum seekers who are preparing to file their taxes in the United States. The agency that collects taxes for the federal government is called the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). There are separate agencies that collect taxes for each state. 

Does everyone need to file taxes? 

No. Many people who work in the U.S. are supposed to file taxes, but you do not need to file taxes if your income was lower than a specific amount in 2025. For example, if you are the head of a household and you made less than $23,625 in 2025, you may not need to file taxes this year.

You can find more details and check if you are supposed to file taxes on the IRS website.

What are the risks and benefits of filing taxes? 

Even if you are not required to file taxes this year, you could still decide to file. Here are some of the things to consider when deciding whether to file.

Risks: 

• Information-sharing: The main risk to filing taxes is that the IRS could share personal information such as your address with immigration agencies or other government agencies in the future. For many asylum seekers, immigration agencies already have some of this information, so filing taxes may not be as large of an additional risk. Decisions related to data-sharing and privacy are personal, and only you can determine how much you value keeping your information private. Learn more here.

Benefits:

• You can receive refunds. When you work in the U.S., sometimes part of your income is automatically withheld by the state and federal governments. When you file your taxes, you may be eligible to receive some of this money back in the form of a tax refund.

• You may be able to receive Child Tax Credit payments. The Child Tax Credit is a payment from the U.S. government to help families with children. To receive Child Tax Credit payments, at least one parent filing the tax return and your children must have Social Security numbers.

• It can help you with your immigration case. For example, filing your taxes can serve as proof of the years that you have lived in the U.S. Filing taxes can sometimes also be seen as a positive factor in your immigration case. 

What is the deadline to file taxes? 

The deadline to file your taxes is April 15, 2026. If you are not able to file your taxes by this date, learn how to request an extension. 

How do I file my taxes? 

There are online programs that assist with filing taxes such as FreeTaxUSA, Cash App Taxes, TurboTax and GetYourRefund.

You can also find a paper tax form here or at many local libraries.

To get free help in person, you can enter your zip code on this website to find places close to where you live. Or you can call this free hotline: 1-800-906-9887.

What identification number do I use to file taxes? 

If you are filing your taxes and you have a Social Security Number, you use that number when you file taxes. Most asylum seekers with work permits have a Social Security Number. 

If you are filing your taxes and you do not have a Social Security Number, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (“ITIN”) number and use that number to file your taxes. In order to request an ITIN, you will need to give the IRS some personal information, including an address. 

Will the IRS share my tax information with immigration agencies? 

Maybe. Courts have temporarily blocked the IRS from sharing taxpayers’ information with immigration agencies. However, we know that the IRS shared data with immigration agencies in 2025, and it is possible that they will do so again in the future. Before 2025, the IRS had refused to share personal information with immigration agencies. You can read more about the lawsuits trying to stop the IRS from sharing information with immigration agencies here and here. 

For some people, immigration agencies already have some of the information that would be included in your taxes. For example, if you have applied for asylum or a work permit, or if you have a case in immigration court or check-ins with ICE, you most likely already provided your address and other personal information to immigration agencies. Also, if you filed taxes in the past, you most likely already provided your address and other personal information to the IRS at that time.