For most people, 2023 tax returns were due April 15, 2024. Filers who secured a valid tax extension have six more months — until October 15, 2024 — to get their cards in order.
If you missed the deadline and owe taxes, however, the longer you wait to file and pay, the heftier the penalties and interest can become. If you missed the deadline and were due a refund, you may not be facing a penalty, but make sure to still file if you were required to by law.
» MORE: What happens if you don't file taxes?
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
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Minimum income requirements for filing taxes
You probably have to file a tax return in 2024 if your gross income in 2023 was at least $13,850 as a single filer, $27,700 if married filing jointly or $20,800 if head of household. If you were 65 or older at the end of 2023, those minimum income limits are higher. Publication 501 has the full details.
Tax filing status | Under 65 | 65 and older |
|---|---|---|
Single | $13,850. | $15,700. |
Married, filing jointly | $27,700 if both spouses are under age 65.$29,200 if one spouse is under age 65 and one is 65 or older. | $30,700 if both are 65 or older. |
Head of household | $20,800. | $22,650. |
Married, filing separately | $5. | $5. |
Surviving spouse | $27,700. | $29,200. |
» MORE: When were taxes due this year? Tax day and other important tax deadlines
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 ... | $1,250. | $3,100. | $4,950. |
Your earned income was more than ... | $13,850. | $15,700. | $17,550. |
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 ... | $1,250. | $2,750. | $4,250. |
Your earned income was more than ... | $13,850. | $15,350. | $16,850. |
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. | |||
If you fit any of the requirements, you have to file a tax return even if:
You are a minor.
You lived or earned money in another country.
You lived in Puerto Rico.
You had income from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands (but special rules apply; see IRS publication 570 for help).
» MORE: First-time filer? See our guide to filing your taxes
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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
Don’t have to file a tax return? There’s a big reason you might want to do it anyway
Even if you come to the conclusion that you do not have filing obligations, there are a few reasons you might consider 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.
Three years to file 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.
The IRS estimated that there were over $1 billion in unclaimed refunds for 2020. The deadline to submit a 2020 tax return to recoup those funds was May 17, 2024.
» MORE: How to file past-due tax returns
