How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes?

For most people, 2024 tax returns were due April 15, 2025. Filers who got a valid tax extension have six more months — until Oct. 15, 2025 — to get their cards in order. Here's more on who has to file and why.

Do you have to file taxes?

Generally, people who make below a certain income may be able to skip the paperwork. However, it's also important to know that income isn't the only factor that comes into play. For example, people who received distributions from things like a health savings account may have a filing obligation, even if their income was below the filing threshold.

Another consideration is that not having to file doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't consider doing so anyway. Some people who make below the minimum income requirements for filing may be eligible for tax credits or other benefits that could result in a refund. Not filing means potentially losing access to that money.

» MORE: What happens if you don't file taxes?

Minimum income requirements for filing taxes in 2025

You probably have to file a tax return in 2025 if your gross income in 2024 was at least $14,600 as a single filer, $29,200 if married filing jointly or $21,900 if head of household. If you were 65 or older at the end of 2024, those minimum income limits are higher.

» MORE: See the 2024-2025 federal tax brackets

Dependent income requirements for filing a tax return

If someone can claim you as a dependent, the rules change. You have to file a tax return if any of the following apply.

Dependents who are single

Dependents who are married

» MORE: First-time filer? See our guide to filing your taxes

Other requirements for who has to file taxes

Regardless of income, there are also other situations that require filing a tax return:

• You had self-employment net earnings of at least $400.

• You received distributions from a health savings account, an Archer Medical Savings Account or a Medicare Advantage MSA.

• You owe taxes on an IRA, a 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^[0]

  Internal Revenue Service. Publication 501. Accessed Dec 13, 2024.

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» Ready to crunch the numbers? Estimate your refund or bill with NerdWallet's tax calculator

Consider filing, even if you don't have to

If you come to the conclusion that you don't have filing obligations, there are a few reasons you might think about turning in a tax return anyway. For example, you might qualify for a tax break that could generate a tax refund. So give filing some serious consideration 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.

Filing for an unclaimed refund

If you haven't needed to file 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 when the return was due to file your back taxes and claim those funds. For example, if you didn't file your taxes that were due in 2023 but think you were owed a refund, you have until 2026 to file a return for that year to claim it.

» MORE: How to file past-due tax returns