Trudy qualifies for Head of Household filing status. With $10,900 in gross income, is she required to file a return?

To determine whether Trudy is required to file a tax return based on her filing status and income, we can refer to the IRS guidelines for Head of Household filers. For the tax year in question, the income threshold for Head of Household status is set at a gross income of $19,400.

Since Trudy's gross income is $10,900, which is below the threshold, she is not required to file a federal tax return. Filing requirements can vary depending on specific situations, such as having self-employment income or being claimed as a dependent by someone else, but with the information available, her income alone does not meet the minimum requirement that triggers the obligation to file.

In this instance, her gross income is significantly under the threshold, affirming that she would not need to file a tax return unless there's an additional reason to do so, such as specific tax credits or other considerations that may prompt filing in order to claim a refund or meet other obligations. This aligns correctly with the answer provided.