It’s really important to know when you need to file taxes. Thanks for asking the question. 

Whether or not you need to file will depend on the source of the $2,000.

You must file a 2009 federal tax return if:

1. you were self-employed and earned more than $400, or
2. you earned more than $1,500 from interest and dividends on savings and investment accounts you own.

You are not required to file a tax return if:

1. you received the $2,000 as a gift, or
2. you earned less than $9,350 in wages from a job in 2009. (If you’re reading this after the 2009 tax year, check the new IRS guidelines to learn how much money you can make before you have to file at www.irs.gov.)

Important Note: If you worked and your employer took taxes out of your paycheck you will want to file a federal tax return even if you don’t have to, so you can get your money back from the federal government. And, if you live in a state that has a personal income tax, you will need to check your state’s requirements for filing a state income tax return. 

Thanks again for the question!