• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
BACK TAXES HELP
  • Tax Problems
    ▼
    • Tax Problems Overview
    • Audit
      ▼
      • Audits Overview
      • Audited and Can’t Pay
      • Avoid Tax Audit
      • Statute of Limitations
    • Business
    • IRS Letters
    • Tax Levy
      ▼
      • Tax Levy Overview
      • Bank Levy
      • IRS Asset Seizure
      • Protect Assets
      • Release Tax Levy
      • Social Security Garnishment
      • Tax Levy Appeals Process
      • Wage Garnishments
    • Tax Lien
      ▼
      • Tax Lien Overview
      • Release or Withdrawal of Tax Lien
      • Appeal Tax Lien
      • IRS Form 14135: Discharge Tax Lien
      • IRS Form 12277: Request Lien Withdrawal
    • Tax on Settlement of Consumer Liabilities
    • Tax Penalties
      ▼
      • Tax Penalties Overview
      • Failure to File Penalty
      • Failure to Pay Penalty
      • IRS Interest Underpayment
      • Late Filing Penalty
      • Late Payment Penalty
      • Tax Evasion
      • Tax Fraud
      • Trust Fund Recovery Penalty
    • Unfiled Taxes
      ▼
      • File Back Taxes
      • Unfiled Taxes Return
      • Unfiled Tax Return Consequences
    • Unpaid Taxes
      ▼
      • Unpaid Taxes Overview
      • IRS Collections: How The Process Works & How to Stop It
      • Find Out Tax Amount Owed
      • IRS Statute of Limitations
  • Tax Solutions
    ▼
    • Tax Solutions
    • Bankruptcy
    • IRS Tax Appeal
      ▼
      • IRS Tax Appeal Overview
      • IRS Collection Due Process (CDP)
      • Collection Appeals Program (CAP)
    • Payment Plans
      ▼
      • Payment Plans Overview
      • Installment Agreements
      • Short-Term Extension
    • Tax Settlement
      ▼
      • Tax Settlement Overview
      • Innocent Spouse Tax Relief
      • Offer in Compromise
      • Penalty Abatement
      • Prove Financial Hardship
      • Tax Negotiation
  • State Tax Relief
  • About Us
    ▼
    • About BackTaxesHelp
    • Tax Professionals
      ▼
      • Tax Professionals Overview
      • CPA
      • IRS Enrolled Agent
      • Tax Attorney
      • Tax Resolution Services
      • Taxpayer Advocate Services
      • Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
      • Tax Relief Scams
    • Tax Services
      ▼
      • Our Tax Services
      • Tax Process
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
    • Get A Quote
  • Resources
    ▼
    • Resources Overview
    • Back Taxes FAQ
    • Forms: IRS and State
    • How To
    • IRS Phone Numbers
    • Power of Attorney
    • Tax Filings
  • Tax Blog
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Back Taxes Help HomepageBack Taxes Help

Get tax help

Call for a Free Consultation800-928-5035
Call for a Free
Consultation
800-928-5035
  • Tax Problems
    • About Tax Problems
    • Audit
    • Business
    • IRS Letters
    • Tax Levy
    • Tax Lien
    • Tax on Settlement of Consumer Liabilities
    • Unfiled Taxes
    • Unpaid Taxes
  • Tax Solutions
    • About Tax Solutions
    • IRS Tax Appeal
    • Repayment Plans
    • Tax Settlement
  • State Tax Relief
  • About Us
    • About BackTaxesHelp
    • Tax Professionals
    • Tax Services
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
    • Get a FREE Quote
  • Resources
    • Tax Resources
    • Back Taxes FAQ
    • Forms: IRS and State
    • How To
    • IRS Phone Numbers
    • Power of Attorney
    • Tax Filings
  • Tax Blog
Home / Filing Taxes / Do I Need to File Taxes? Minimum Income Required for Filing

Do I Need to File Taxes? Minimum Income Required for Filing

March 12, 2018 By Kari Brummond

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

taxes due

Tax returns for 2017 are due on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Do you need to file a tax return? It depends on your income, age, filing status, and a few other factors. Generally, if you earned more than the standard deduction plus one exemption, you need to file, but here are the specifics.

Need to File a Tax Return

If you are in the following categories and your income is over the listed amount, you need to file a tax return for 2017.

  • Single under 65 — $10,400
  • Single over 65 — $11,950
  • Head of household under 65 — $13,400
  • Head of household over 65 — $14,950
  • Married filing jointly under 65 — $20,800
  • Married filing jointly one spouse over 65 — $22,050
  • Married filing jointly both spouses over 65 — $23,300
  • Married filing separately (any age) — $4,050
  • Qualifying widow/widower under 65 with dependent child(ren) — $16,750
  • Qualifying widow/widower over 65 with dependent child(ren) — $18,000

This applies to income earned from a job but also to capital gains. If you sold stocks, property, or other assets and earned money from the sale, you may need to file even if you don’t have any earned income. To determine if you’re over 65, the IRS uses your age on January 1, 2018.

Filing Rules for Dependents

If someone claims you as a dependent on their return, the filing thresholds are different. Usually, this happens if you’re a minor, but it can also apply if you’re an adult being taken care of by another taxpayer.

The thresholds for dependents are different for earned income (money earned from a job or running your own business) and unearned income (money from stocks, bonds, or other investments). If you are a dependent and you earn over the following amounts, you need to file a tax return.

  • Single under 65, not blind with unearned income over $1,050 or earned income over $6,350
  • Single over 65 or blind with unearned income over $2,600 or earned income over $7,900
  • Single over 65 and blind with unearned income over $4,150 or earned income over $9,450
  • Married under 65, not blind with unearned income over $1,050 or earned income over $6,350
  • Married over 65 or blind with unearned income over $2,300 or earned income over $7,600
  • Married over 65 and blind with unearned income over $3,550 or earned income over $8,850

Other Cases Where You Need to File

Regardless of your filing status or income level, there are a few other situations where you have to file a tax return. If any of the following statements apply to you, you should file:

  • You have self-employment income over $400.
  • You are entitled to a credit through the Affordable Care Act.
  • You received $108.28 or more in wages from a church or related organization that is exempt from payroll taxes.
  • You used an HSA, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA plan to cover medical expenses.
  • You made excess contributions to an MSA.
  • You took early distributions from an IRA.
  • You didn’t take the minimum required distribution amounts from your retirement account.

Even if you’re not required to file a tax return, you may want to file a tax return anyway. In particular, if you think you might qualify for a refund, you should file.

When to File State Returns

Generally, if you don’t need to file a federal tax return, you don’t need to file a state one either, but there are exceptions. Check the rules in your state to determine whether or not you need to file.

If you are required to file a tax return, you should always file, even if you don’t have money to pay your tax bill. The fee for not filing is much bigger than the fee for not paying, and the IRS will usually let you make payments on your taxes owed.

Primary Sidebar

Tax Problems?





Categories

  • Business Taxes
  • Celebrities
  • Entertainment
  • FAQ
  • Filing Taxes
  • How To
  • Installment Agreements
  • Payment Plans
  • State Taxes
  • Tax Audit
  • Tax Credits & Deductions
  • Tax Filing Extension
  • Tax Help
  • Tax Law Changes
  • Tax Levy
  • Tax Lien
  • Tax News
  • Tax Opinion
  • Tax Settlements
  • Tax Tips

SUCCESS STORIES

  • "I was in a tough situation. I didn’t have much money and I couldn’t pay my tax balance.  I was able to pay off my taxes over time with an agreement. Thanks again!"
    ~ Brian J., Orange, CA

  • "Thank you so much for your diligence in taking care of our situation. You were always available when we needed to ask questions, and you should be proud of your professional handling of our case!"
    ~ Mr. Wilson, Taylor, TX

  • "I had used another company previously, and I had concerns initially but you guys put me in good hands and in no time flat. This is such a weight off of my shoulders."
    ~ Mr. Szramiak, Philadelphia, PA

  • "My back taxes had been haunting me for years & the bank levy happened so quickly; I’m glad I had I requested a free consultation. Everyone is astonished they got all my money back so soon. I am eternally grateful!"
    ~ Mr. Mason, Minneapolis, MN

Resolve Your Tax Problems Today!

GET A FREE TAX ANALYSIS

Footer

53 Halloween Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06902
PH: 203-813-7549
Toll Free: 800-928-5035
admin@backtaxeshelp.com
Call for a Free Consultation
800-928-5035

facebooktwitter
Back Taxes Help
  • Resources
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact
  
Back Taxes Help BBB Business Review
Privacy Seal
Security Seal
ASTPS
  

Copyright © 2023 BackTaxesHelp.com


Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with the IRS, any private tax collector, or any state tax agency. The information provided on this website is for general educational or informational purposes only. Nothing on this website should be interpreted as legal or tax advice for any individual or business tax case. Before taxpayers sign up with a tax relief or tax resolution company, they should request a free consultation in order to understand how tax relief services work and the associated costs. The free consultation comes with no obligation to use any product or services. In many cases, a reputable tax resolution firm can provide taxpayers with relief.  

Scroll Up