How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes?
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For most people, 2024 tax returns are due April 15, 2025. Filers who end up getting a valid tax extension will have six more months — until October 15, 2025 — to get their cards in order.
If you miss the deadline and owe taxes, however, the longer you wait to file and pay, the heftier the penalties and interest can become. If you miss the deadline and are due a refund, you may not face a penalty, but make sure to still file if you're required to by law.
How much do you have to make 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.
» Need to back up? How tax returns work
Minimum income requirements for filing taxes
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.
Tax filing status | Under 65 | 65 and older |
|---|---|---|
Single | $14,600. | $16,550. |
Married, filing jointly | $29,200 if both spouses are under age 65. $30,750 if one spouse is under age 65 and one is 65 or older. | $32,300 if both are 65 or older. |
Head of household | $21,900. | $23,850. |
Married, filing separately | $5. | $5. |
Surviving spouse | $29,200. | $30,750. |
» MORE: See the key tax changes for 2025
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
Under 65 | 65 and older | 65 or older and blind | |
|---|---|---|---|
Your unearned income was more than ... | $1,300. | $3,250. | $5,200. |
Your earned income was more than ... | $14,600. | $16,550. | $18,500. |
Your gross income was more than the larger of ... |
|
|
|
Dependents who are married
Under 65 | 65 and older | 65 or older and blind | |
|---|---|---|---|
Your unearned income was more than ... | $1,300. | $2,850. | $4,400. |
Your earned income was more than ... | $14,600. | $16,150. | $17,700. |
Your gross income was more than the larger of ... |
|
|
|
Note: You also must file a return if your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions. | |||
» MORE: First-time filer? See our guide to filing your taxes
Do I have 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.
» 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 the current tax year to file your back taxes and claim those funds. For example, if you didn't file your taxes in 2022 but think you were owed a refund, you have until 2025 to file a return for that year to claim it.
» MORE: How to file past-due tax returns
