What Is the Minimum Income Required for Filing Taxes?

If you do not follow proper protocols for filing taxes, and the government finds out, you could be in serious trouble. However, on the other side of the coin, some people may think they have to file taxes when in reality, their income does not require them to. This fact could be positive or negative, since sometimes filing taxes requires individuals to pay money to the government, but sometimes it elicits the return of funds to the individual.

The amount of money that qualifies one for tax filing varies, depending on what status he or she claims on their taxes. Furthermore, the amount changes on a yearly basis. Imagine if the same minimum was required today as it was decades in the past? That would certainly be rather unfair. The standards shown here are for individuals filing in 2010 for the 2009 year. While they are not exact for future years, they will provide decent estimates.

Single Taxpayers

If you are claiming that you are single on your taxes, the minimum gross income is $9,350 if you are under the age of 65, and $10,750 if you are at least 65 years old.

Married Filing Jointly

Individuals who are married and want to file jointly have higher gross annual income requirements. If both individuals are under the age of 65, the amount is $18,700. For individuals that are both 65 years of age and older, the minimum is $20,900. The lowest gross annual income for filing taxes is $19,800 if one of the individuals is age 65 or older. If the couple is not living together or is not living together on the day that one of the spouses die, the person or persons must file if the gross annual income is $3,650 or higher.

Married Filing Separately

Despite age, if a married couple is filing separately, they must file if the gross income is $3,650 or higher.

Head of Household

Individuals who are filing as a head of household must have earned $12,000 if under the age of 65, and $13,400 if at least the age of 65 years old.

Qualifying Widow or Widower

Widows or widowers who are considered qualifying have a different set of standards. They must file if they have a gross annual income of $15,050 for individuals under 65 years of age, and $16,150 for individuals age 65 or older.

Considerations

Some people may think that they are free from filing since we have fairly thoroughly answered the question of how much money do you have to make to file taxes. However, that is not the case. There are exceptions to every rule, and if you have not already determined that you need to file taxes, please read on to see if you fit into any of the other categories!

• Dependents must file if they have made more than $950 in unearned income or more than $5,700 in earned income.
• You must file if you owe FICA taxes, Medicare taxes, unreported tips, or other income that was not reported.
• You must file if you receive advance payments for earned income credit.
• You must file if you are self-employed and have over $400 in net earnings.
• You must file if you have earned at least $108.28 from a church or church organization.