Thank you for your reply, msaccountant!

I'm considering doing my taxes online via TurboTax, since it should be a simple return, so I'm assuming from your information that I'll be able to file without updating at a social security office first?

I do not qualify for the EIC, as I'm only 21 years old, and I don't think I quality for American Opportunity either because my attendance in 2012 was less than half-time.

Another question--I found out that I'm not required to file a state tax return in CA because I'm single and only made $10.5k with no dependents. No one can claim me as a dependent either, because of my age and the fact that I was not a full-time student during 2012. Also, boxes 15-17 on my W-2 are left blank, assumably because I work and live in CA, but the office is in another state. Would there be any benefits to filing a state tax return?