How much do you have to earn to file taxes? + Frequently asked questions

There are certain circumstances, such as having self-employment income, that require you to file a return even if your income is below the standard deduction. You can also choose to file a return even if your income is below the threshold.

Minimum income requirements for people under 65

Below are the income requirements for filing a tax return in 2021 and 2022, which vary depending on marital status and number of dependents.

Single person

• 2021: $12,550
• 2022: $12,950

Married filing a joint return

• 2021: $25,100
• 2022: $25,900

Head of household

• 2021: $18,800
• 2022: $19,400

Married, separately

• 2021: $5
• 2022: $5

Qualifying widow

• 2021: $25,100
• 2022: $25,900

Minimum income requirements for children under age 65 with one or more dependents.

If you can claim yourself as a dependent on someone else’s return, and you are not married, you must file a tax return if your income meets any of the following thresholds.

Your non-income income was more than

• 2021: $1,100
• 2022: $1,100

Your income was greater than

• 2021: $12,550
• 2022: $12,950

Your gross income was greater than the greatest of the following amounts

• 2021: $1,100 or your wage income plus $350.
• 2022: $1,100 or your wage income plus $350.

Minimum income requirements for persons under 65 with married dependent(s)

If you can claim as a dependent on someone else’s return, and you are married, you must file a tax return if your income meets any of the following thresholds.

If you are married and filing a separate return and your spouse identifies the items on your return.

Your non-revenue income was more than

• 2021: $1,100
• 2022: $1,100

Your income was more than

• 2021: $12,550
• 2022: $12,950

Your gross income was greater than the greater of the following amounts

• 2021: $1,100 or your wage income plus $350.
• 2022: $1,100 or your wage and salary income plus $350.

Minimum income requirements for people age 65 and older

Below are the income requirements for filing a tax return for 2021 and 2022, which vary depending on marital status and number of dependents.

Single person

• 2021: $13,900
• 2022: $14,350

Married, filing a joint return

• 2021: $27,800 (or $26,450 if only one spouse is age 65 or older)
• 2022: $28,700 (or $27,300 if only one spouse is age 65 or older)

Head of household

• 2021: $20,550
• 2022: $20,800

Married, separately

• 2021: $5
• 2022: $5

Qualifying widow

• 2021: $27,800 (or $26,350 if only one spouse is over age 65)
• 2022: $28,700 (or $27,300 if only one spouse is age 65 or older)

Minimum income requirements of age 65 or older with a single dependent
If you can claim as a dependent on someone else’s return and you are not married, you must file a tax return if your income meets any of the following thresholds.

Your non-income income was more than:

• 2021: $2,800
• 2022: $2,800

Your income was greater than

• 2021: $14,250
• 2022: $14,700

Your gross income was greater than the greater of:

• 2021: $2,800 or your wage income plus $2,050.
• 2022: $2,800 or your wage and salary income plus $2,050.

Minimum income requirements of 65 years of age or older with married dependent(s)

If you can claim as a dependent on someone else’s return and you are married, you must file a tax return if your income meets any of the following thresholds.

If you are married and filing a separate return, you earn at least $5 and your spouse itemizes on your return.

Your non-revenue income was more than:

• 2021: $2,450
• 2022: $2,450

Your income was more than

• 2021: $13,900
• 2022: $14,700

Your gross income was greater than the greater of: 1:

• 2021: $2,450 or your wage income plus $1,700.
• 2022: $2,450 or your wage income plus $1,700.

Other situations requiring the filing of a tax return

Even if you do not meet one of the above thresholds, you may still be required to file a tax return.

Self-employed individuals are required to file a tax return if their self-employment income exceeds $400 for the year.

U.S. taxpayers claiming the foreign income exclusion must also file a tax return, regardless of their income.

Don’t have to file a tax return? Reasons to do it anyway

Even if you are not required to file a tax return, there are certain situations where you might want to file a return to get a refund.

There are several refundable credits that can result in a tax refund even if your income is below the filing thresholds listed above.

These are common situations that could result in a refund:

You have had income withheld from your payroll or have made estimated tax refunds.

You are entitled to the earned income credit, which is a refundable credit based on your income, marital status and number of dependents.

You have higher education expenses that qualify for the American Opportunity credit.

You have purchased health insurance through an insurance marketplace and are eligible for a premium tax credit.

In 2021, if you did not receive the third stimulus credit but would have qualified based on your 2021 income, you would qualify for the refundable clawback credit.

You have had child care expenses. The dependent care credit became refundable beginning in 2022.

Do I have to file taxes if I earned less than $5,000?

That depends on the source of your income. Dependents with unearned income of $5,000 or self-employed people with $5,000 of self-employment income would have to file a tax return.

Can I get a tax refund if I didn’t work?

You can. If you made estimated tax payments or had withholdings on unearned income but had no earned income, you may be entitled to a refund if you overpaid your estimated tax payments.

What happens if you do not file a tax return?

If you meet the filing requirements listed above, the IRS will contact you and ask you to file a return.

What income is tax-exempt?

At least a portion of all Social Security income is tax-free (although a portion is taxable depending on your total income), and interest payments on municipal bonds are tax-free. Some capital gains and qualified dividends may be tax-free for taxpayers with lower incomes.

In general, if you earn less than $12,550, you do not need to file a tax return, so your income is “tax-free.”

When can older people stop filing taxes?

There is no specific age at which elderly taxpayers can stop paying taxes. If an elderly person’s only income is Social Security income, he or she does not have to file a tax return.