I am on NYS unemployment and have both federal and state taxes taken out of my checks. I am also a full time college student and a single mother of 2 small children. Do I still have to file taxes and if so will I likely have to pay or do you think I will get a refund. My total unemployment compensation was $13,780.00 and federal taxes withheld were $1,378.00, state withheld were $344.24. These are according to form 1099-G that I was mailed from the state.

“I am also a full time college student and a single mother of 2 small children. Do I still have to file taxes “---->Needless to say, it depends on your Gross income. I mean you must file a federal income tax return if your income is above a certain level; which varies depending on your filing status, age and the type of income you receive.
“and if so will I likely have to pay or do you think I will get a refund.”---->Yes;I assume that your gross icome in 2011 was $13,780(your UE benefits), then your TI is negative(taxable income<std deduction+depend exemp(I assume that your two children are your dependents) & personal exemp) meaning no tax liability on 1040;$13,780-$5,700(I assume that yuou are single)-$3650*3=($2,870). Then you are subject to federal refund, $1,378 and are also subject to NYS refund,too. Even if you do not have to file a return due to lower gross income or etc, you should file federal/state return to get a refund of any Federal (state as your state owes you refund)income tax withheld. There is no late filing penalty if you are due a refund. You have three years from the original due date to file a tax return and still get a refund. This is called the statute of limitations for claiming a refund. What that means, in practical terms, is that right now you can still file your 2011 tax return and get a refund. You have until April 15, 2015, to file your 2011 return. What if you file your 2011 return on April 16, 2015? Then it is gone forever.
Please visit the IRs website and follow the instructions( for your state refund, please visit the NYS dept. of rev): https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/...fgetstatus.jsp
“My total unemployment compensation was $13,780.00 and federal taxes withheld were $1,378.00, state withheld were $344.24. These are according to form 1099-G that I was mailed from the state.”---->NYS State unemployment insurance funds report your total unemployment benefits for the year on Form 1099-G. You'll report your benefits on your tax return using Form 1040EZ, 1040A, or 1040; then, your unemployment benefits count as taxable income on your federal return, depending on the amount but they're not necessarily taxed by your state. In 2009, for the first $2,400 in unemployment benefits. But that provision was not renewed by Congress. So, You need to report $13,780 on 1040 line 19.You are subject to both fed and NYS refund; your tax refund should not be considered free money. If you do receive a tax refund, you are essentially giving the government a tax free loan.