Do you have to file a tax return if you get ssdi?

Maybe.

SSDI recipients do not receive any special exemption from the filing requirements.

On your federal return, SSDI benefits are taxed using the same complicated formula as is used for Social Security retirement benefits.

Whether you must file a return is determined by your total income from all sources, not just your benefits, and your filing status.

To find out if you need to file a federal return, refer to Tables 1, 2, and 3 on pages 3, 4, and 5 of Publication 501:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

Treat SSDI benefits as if they were Social Security benefits.

Your state may have different rules. Refer to the instructions that came with your state tax forms or the web site of your state tax department for details.