How Much Do You Have to Make in a Year to File Taxes?
Understand the income thresholds that determine if you need to file taxes, including factors like filing status, self-employment, and dependent earnings.
Filing taxes isn’t always required—it depends on your income and personal situation. The IRS sets income thresholds that determine whether you need to file a return. These vary based on filing status, age, and income type.
Understanding these requirements helps you avoid penalties for failing to file or missing out on potential refunds.
Minimum Annual Income Criteria
The IRS bases filing requirements on gross income, which includes wages, salaries, tips, taxable interest, dividends, capital gains, and other taxable earnings. For 2024 tax returns filed in 2025, these thresholds align with the standard deduction.
For single filers under 65, the threshold is $14,600. If 65 or older, it rises to $16,550. Married couples filing jointly must file if their combined income is at least $29,200. If one spouse is 65 or older, the threshold increases to $30,800, and if both are 65 or older, it is $32,400. These amounts adjust annually for inflation.
Certain types of income require filing even if total earnings are below the standard deduction. If you receive at least $1,250 in unearned income—such as taxable interest or dividends—you may need to file. Owing special taxes like the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) or the 10% penalty on early retirement withdrawals also requires filing regardless of income level.
Filing Status Adjustments
Your filing requirement depends on both income and filing status. The IRS recognizes different categories, each with its own income threshold.
Single
Single filers under 65 must file if income exceeds $14,600. For those 65 or older, the threshold is $16,550 due to an increased standard deduction.
Even if income falls below these limits, filing may be necessary if federal income tax was withheld and a refund is due. Those with self-employment earnings or taxable Social Security benefits may also need to file. If Social Security benefits are partially taxable due to other income sources, a return may be required even if total earnings are below the standard deduction.
Married Filing Jointly
For married couples filing jointly, the income threshold is $29,200 if both spouses are under 65. If one spouse is 65 or older, the threshold increases to $30,800. If both are 65 or older, it rises to $32,400.
Filing jointly can provide benefits such as lower tax rates and eligibility for credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit. However, both spouses are responsible for any tax liability. If one spouse has significant medical expenses, itemizing deductions instead of taking the standard deduction may be beneficial.
Head of Household
This status applies to unmarried individuals who financially support a qualifying dependent, such as a child or elderly parent. It offers a higher standard deduction than single filers, reducing taxable income.
For 2024, the filing threshold for head of household is $21,900 if under 65 and $23,850 if 65 or older. To qualify, you must have paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for yourself and a dependent for more than half the year.
This status provides access to tax credits like the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which helps offset childcare expenses. Filing as head of household instead of single can lower tax liability due to more favorable tax brackets and a higher deduction. However, incorrectly claiming this status can result in penalties.
Self-Employment Earnings Threshold
Self-employed individuals have different tax obligations than traditional employees. Unlike employees who have taxes withheld from their paychecks, self-employed individuals must calculate and pay their own taxes, including self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare contributions.
For 2024, the self-employment tax rate remains 15.3%—12.4% for Social Security on earnings up to $168,600 and 2.9% for Medicare. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to earnings exceeding $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Anyone with net self-employment income of $400 or more must file a tax return, even if total earnings fall below the standard deduction. This applies to freelance work, gig economy jobs, and small business earnings. Even if no income tax is owed, self-employment tax must still be paid.
Self-employed individuals may also need to make estimated tax payments quarterly to avoid penalties. The IRS expects taxes to be paid throughout the year rather than in a lump sum at filing time.
Deductions play a key role in determining taxable self-employment income. Business expenses such as home office costs, internet and phone bills, equipment purchases, and mileage can reduce net earnings. The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction may also allow eligible self-employed individuals to deduct up to 20% of their business income. Proper record-keeping is essential, as the IRS requires documentation to substantiate deductions in case of an audit.
Dependent Filing Requirements
A dependent’s filing obligations depend on earned and unearned income. Earned income includes wages, salaries, and tips, while unearned income includes taxable interest, dividends, and capital gains.
For 2024, a dependent must file a return if earned income exceeds $14,600. If they have unearned income, the filing requirement is triggered at $1,250. If both earned and unearned income are present, the threshold is the greater of $1,250 or total earned income plus $400, up to the standard deduction limit.
Dependents may also need to file if they owe additional taxes, such as the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), which applies when unearned income exceeds $2,000 for certain filers. Those with income from stock sales or cryptocurrency transactions may have capital gains tax liabilities, requiring a return even if total income remains below standard filing thresholds.
Voluntary Filing Below the Threshold
Even if you are not required to file a tax return, doing so voluntarily can be beneficial. Many taxpayers who earn below the filing threshold may still be eligible for refunds due to tax credits or withheld income taxes.
If an employer withheld federal income tax from your paycheck, filing a return allows you to claim a refund of any excess amounts paid.
Tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) can provide substantial refunds even if no tax is owed. The EITC, for example, can result in a refund of up to $7,430 for the 2024 tax year, depending on income and the number of qualifying children. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) allows students or their parents to claim up to $2,500 for education expenses, with up to $1,000 refundable.
Filing a return also establishes a record of income, which can be useful when applying for loans, government benefits, or financial aid.