Tax season is back. While most Americans will need to gather their financial documents and prepare to file a return, some may be able to skip the task because their income is low.
According to the IRS, there are general rules for whether you have to file a federal tax return by this year. Here’s how much you had to earn in 2024 to be required to file taxes by April 15.
Minimum income requirements
If you’re a single filer and under 65, you probably have to file a tax return if your 2024 gross income was at least $14,600. That threshold jumps to $16,550 if you’re 65 or older.
If you use another filing status, check the chart below to see how much you have to make to file taxes this year.
Dependent income requirements
If someone can claim you as a dependent, the rules change. You have to file a tax return if any of the conditions noted in the accompanying charts apply.
For dependents who are married, a return must be filed if a spouse’s gross income was at least $5 and their partner files a separate return and itemizes deductions.
If you fit any of the requirements, you have to file a tax return even if:
- You are a minor
- You lived or earned money in another country
- You lived in Puerto Rico
- You had income from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands. But special rules apply, so see the IRS publication 570 for help.
Do I have to file taxes?
There are situations requiring a tax return, regardless of income. You generally have to file if:
- You had self-employment net earnings of at least $400.
- You received distributions from a health savings account, Archer Medical Savings Account or Medicare Advantage Medical Savings Account.
- You owe taxes on an individual retirement account, health savings account or other tax-favored account.
- You owe taxes on household employees.
- You owe alternative minimum tax.
- You made more than $108.28 from a church or church organization.
- You owe recapture taxes.
- You owe Social Security or Medicare tax on tips you didn’t report to your employer or that your employer didn’t already take out of your pay.
- Advance payments of the premium tax credit were made for you, your spouse or a dependent who got health coverage through the insurance marketplace.
- You owe uncollected Social Security, Medicare or railroad retirement tax on tips you reported to your employer or on group term life insurance and additional taxes on health savings accounts.
Don’t have to file a tax return?
Even if you find that you don’t have to file a return, there are a few reasons why you should consider turning in a tax return. For example, you might qualify for certain tax breaks like the earned income tax credit that could generate a refund. It’s worth considering if:
- You had income tax withheld from your pay
- You made estimated tax payments or had last year’s refund applied to this year’s estimated tax.
- You qualify for the earned income tax credit
- You qualify for the additional child tax credit
- You qualify for the American opportunity education credit
- You qualify for the premium tax credit.
- You qualify for the credit for federal tax on fuels.
If you received a Form 1099-B Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions you might also consider filing a return if two things are true: Adding the number in box 1d to your other gross income puts you over the income threshold, and box 1e is blank. Filing a return, in that case, could prevent you from getting a notice from the IRS.
If you haven’t had a filing obligation in a few years but discover you may have been eligible for tax breaks in the past that would have resulted in a refund, you have three years from the current tax year to file your back taxes and claim those funds.
