Filing a zero income tax return

[JohnnyW]

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I want to use my income tax from 4th year of med school for IBR/PAYE. However, I didn't file my taxes because like most I had no income during 4th year. I am now trying to file and it won't go through e-file because the software thinks I am filing an empty return. I called the IRS and they weren't too happy about me filing an "empty" return.

Has anyone filed their taxes with no income? Did you have to paper file? Did you get any problems?

Any tips? Thanks!

 

[RangerBob]

I don't think it actually helps anymore to do this--when you apply for IBR/PAYE, one of the questions asked is whether or not the income on your tax return accurately reflects your current situation. Considering most of us begin repayment six months after starting residency, we'll all have a job/salary and thus would have to check that box and submit our updated earnings information.

 

[Impromptu]

I filed the $0 income tax returns, though before the standard filing deadlines. I used that for my IBR, then my half year's salary for the IBR the next year. I called and asked my bank if I should use my monthly paystub. I was probably one of the first of their customers to use IBR and they didn't know much about how it worked. They had really only set themselves up to use the tax returns at that time, so told me to just go ahead and use my tax return. But that was several years ago and they have probably set up more definitive policies since then. Just call and ask your bank. It is better to not get into trouble.

I am about to start my first attending job. I think my IBR must be resubmitted in a couple of months. IBR won't help me much at that time. I will need to reassess which repayment plan will be best at that time.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Filling out a 1040EZ with zero income and sticking it in an envelope is probably faster than trying to figure out how to make the e-file work.

 

[ShyRem]

You can usually submit documentation of student status which will correlate with zero income, and then a copy of your recent paycheck from residency.

You can also late file a 1040EZ with zero income to the IRS and then submit that to them as income verification.