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The answer depends on a person's gross income, filing status and age. For most full-time workers, the answer is yes. For others, especially those 65 and over, it's a bit trickier. For example, if you're under 65, you must file if your gross income last year was at least $10,350 (singles) or $20,700 (married filed jointly). If you're 65 and single, you file with gross income of at least $11,900. Married couples file if one spouse is 65 or over with joint income of at least $21,950, or if both spouses have reached 65 with income of at least $23,200. Internal Revenue Service Publication 17, available at irs.gov, provides details. The IRS website also has an online questionnaire to guide you through the process. Even if not required, it might be worthwhile to file if you might recoup estimated federal taxes withheld during the past year or if you made estimated payments that might be refundable. Filing also makes sense if you can claim the earned income tax credit or various other credits.

Although the IRS was required to hold some refunds until February 15, early tax filers who claimed the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC) should have received their refunds by the last week of February. The IRS issues more than 90 percent of refunds in less than 21 days, but taxpayers may check the IRS Where's My Refund tool for an expected tax refund date. Taxpayers will need to enter their:

• Social Security number,
• filing status and
• exact refund amount shown on their return.

To check the status of their state refund, taxpayers can locate their state's lookup tool.

Students (or their parents) claiming tax benefits related to education can only use expenses they paid in 2016. However, some institutions will report expenses billed in 2016, which means taxpayers could be left with a discrepancy and will need to organize additional paperwork to substantiate their claim on the tax return.

Taxpayers who reside in one state and work in another may have their income taxed in both states and may need to file two state returns. This is also the case for taxpayers who move during the year - they may be a resident, part-year resident or nonresident in more than one state. In some cases, it is possible for a taxpayer to be a resident of more than one state. Many states will give a tax credit for taxes paid to another state, so it is important to prepare state returns in the right order to maximize the tax benefit.

Tax fraud mainly involves criminals filing returns in someone else's name in hopes of collecting that person's refund. Consequently, the earlier you file, the less chance a criminal has to beat you to the punch.

That's one tip offered by credit bureau Experian. Others include checking out the professional you hire to prepare your return, and asking that person what safeguards he or she uses to protect client information. If you file yourself electronically, make sure you're using a secure tax-preparation software service and that your machine is protected with anti-virus and anti-malware software — and don't file using public Wi-Fi. Check your credit report periodically for signs that your other financial accounts might have been compromised.

Part of any ID-theft defense involves exercising common sense. So don't divulge sensitive information if someone claiming to represent the IRS contacts you in an unsolicited phone call, email or text message. The IRS generally will mail a bill if you owe taxes and won't call to demand immediate payment, especially with prepaid debit cards, gift cards or wire transfers. Also, the agency won't ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone, threaten to have you arrested or demand payment without giving you a chance to question or appeal the amount.