Do i need to file federal tax

The minimum income amount depends on your filing status and age. In 2021, for example, the minimum for single filing status if under age 65 is $12,550.  If your income is below that threshold, you generally do not need to file a federal tax return. Review the full list below for other filing statuses and ages.

Wondering if you need to file to get your stimulus payment? Review our stimulus payment information.

Minimum income to file taxes

• Single filing status:
  • $12,550 if under age 65
  • $14,250 if age 65 or older
• Married filing jointly:
  • $25,100 if both spouses under age 65
  • $26,450 if one spouse under age 65 and one age 65 or older
  • $27,800 if both spouses age 65 or older
• Married filing separately — $5 for all ages
• Head of household:
  • $18,800 if under age 65
  • $20,500 if age 65 or older
• Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child:
  • $25,100 if under age 65
  • $26,450 if age 65 or older

You might also be required to file for other reasons, such as if you’re self-employed or paid on a 1099-MISC form, or bought health insurance from a state or federal marketplace. If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return, separate filing thresholds apply. Please see IRS Publication 501 for additional information.

Do I Have to File Taxes? — Additional Considerations

Although your income may be below the minimum income to file taxes as shown above, you may not have to file taxes, but there may be times when you want to file a return.

• Refund of withheld income taxes – If you received pay during the year and had income tax withheld, you may want to file a return to obtain a refund of the amount withheld.
• Earned income tax credit – This benefit is a refundable credit, meaning even if you do not owe taxes, you can still get a refund. Depending on your income and the number of children you have, lower-income workers may be eligible for an EITC of $510 to $6,318. Note: You do not need to have children to be eligible.

If you determine that you do need and want to file your taxes, keep in mind that H&R Block offers free and easy online tax filing options.

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Factors such as age, disability, filing status, and income will determine whether or not the U.S. federal government requires you to file a tax return. The charts below will assist you in determining this.

However, just because you are not required to file a tax return does not necessarily mean you shouldn't. Later in this article, we will discuss the reasons to file a tax return even when it is not required.

Minimum Income Requirements Based on Age and Status

There is no set minimum income for filing a return. The amount varies according to both filing status and age. The minimum taxable income level for each group is listed in the following chart. If your income falls below what is listed for your age group and marital status, you are not required to file a return.

Filing StatusAgeMinimum Income RequirementSingleMarried Filing SeparatelyAny age$5Head of HouseholdMarried Filing Jointly

65 or older (both spouses)

Age and Status Requirements for Dependents

Being claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes changes the rules a bit, and it does not rule out the possibility that you will still be required to file. If you are an adult, working dependent, you will likely be required to file your own return.

Marriage StatusAgeMinimum Income RequirementSingle DependentsUnder 65 (and not blind)$12,400 earned
(or $1,100 unearned)Single Dependents65 or older OR blind$14,050 earned
(or $2,750 unearned)Single Dependents65 or older AND blind$15,700 earned
(or $4,400 unearned)Married DependentsUnder 65 (and not blind)$12,400 earned
(or $1,100 unearned) OR Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions.Married Dependents65 or older OR blind$13,700 earned income (or
$2,400 unearned) OR Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductionsMarried Dependents65 or older AND blind$15,000 earned
(or $3,700 unearned) OR Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions

Special Circumstances

Even if your income bracket is below the minimum listed for your age group and status, you usually must file a Federal Tax Return if you fall into any of the following “special circumstances” categories.

• If your self-employment earnings totaled $400 or more
• If you owe tax on a health savings account or a retirement plan
• If you owe Alternative Minimum Tax
• If you owe household employment taxes
• If you earned at least $108.28 in wages from a tax-exempt church or church-controlled organization
• If you received distributions from a Health Savings Account or an MSA
• If you are required to repay a 2008 Homebuyer Credit (or other recapture tax)
• If you owe Social Security/Medicare taxes on unreported income (tips)

Why You May Want to File Anyway

Not being required to file may be a bad reason not to do so, especially if you could use a little extra money following the holiday season. Refunds cannot be claimed without filing a return. Here are some reasons why a refund might be due to you:

Do I have to file federal?

Who must file a tax return in 2022?

Should I file a tax return if I don't have to?