When your baby is a little older, you can start adding pumping to your daily routine. While it's not necessary, it's comforting to have a little bit of a stash of milk built up before you return to work. Warning - be sure to read this page on smart use of your freezer stash!
You must file a tax return if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. So consider this: you may be 36 years old, single and make less than $10,000 per year in regular employment income, but if you have a side business that nets you more than $400, you will need to file a federal tax return.
Even if you must file a tax return, there are ways you can reduce the amount of tax you have to pay on your taxable income. As long as you are at least 65 years old and your income from sources other than Social Security is not high, then the tax credit for the elderly or disabled can reduce your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis.