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If you're in the US and you're unemployed but you bought $300 worth of stocks and earned $5000 do you have to pay taxes? In my search I get mixed answers and on a tax calculator site it says I don't have to file taxes is this true?
You have not provided nearly enough information to answer the question:
The "general" rule is that if you are single, cannot be claimed as a dependent by anyone else, did not separate from a spouse or become a widow/widower in 2021, have less than $12,550 in simple income, with no withholding... then you do not have to file 2021 US Federal Taxes.
As you can see that is not so simple even in general.
My understanding is that if you separated or became a widow/widower in 2021 that you have to file taxes at the $5 gross income level.
When dealing with investment earnings all kinds of things can kick you into filing taxes.
I've seen many people claim that they only have simple stocks... yet that was not true; and they held investments that had to be reported or triggered an automatic "Alternate Minimum Tax" calculation requirement.
You really need someone who knows all the ins and outs to review your personal case.
Obviously, if you had taxes withheld from the stock sales... you will want the refunds and you can only get that by filing taxes.