Even if you aren't required to file a return, you still may want to. If you don't owe tax at the end of the year, but had taxes withheld from paychecks or other payments—filing a return may allow you to obtain a tax refund.
Credits may earn you a tax refund
If you qualify for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, you can receive a refund even if your tax is $0. To claim the credits, you have to file your 1040 and other tax forms.
If you didn't earn any income in the last tax year, you're not obligated to file a tax return. The IRS has minimum income requirements that change annually based on inflation as well as your tax status, such as single, married filing separately or jointly, head of household, etc.
Benefits of Filing a Tax Return
For example, if your employer withheld taxes from your paycheck, you may be owed a refund when you file your taxes. Avoid interest and penalties. You may avoid interest and penalties by filing an accurate tax return on time and paying any tax you owe in the right way before the deadline.
Minimum income to file taxes
Single filing status: $12,550 if under age 65. $14,250 if age 65 or older.
What is the benefit of filing a tax return even if you didn't meet the minimum income requirement? If you a file a tax return, you could be entitled to certain tax credits. You may also receive a tax return.
Single. Not 65 or older: The minimum income amount needed for filing taxes in 2020 should be $12,400. 65 or older: It should be over $14,050 to file a tax return. If your unearned income was more than $1,050, you must file a return.
If you earn less than $10,000 per year, you don't have to file a tax return. However, you won't receive an Earned-Income Tax Credit refund unless you do file.
If you fail to file your taxes on time, you'll likely encounter what's called a Failure to File Penalty. The penalty for failing to file represents 5% of your unpaid tax liability for each month your return is late, up to 25% of your total unpaid taxes. If you're due a refund, there's no penalty for failure to file.
If you don't owe taxes, you won't be charged interest or penalties for filing late. However, you should still file on time to make sure there aren't any interruptions to your benefit payments.
Filing your tax return early may help eliminate the need to file an extension. Extensions of time are often required as a result of disorganization more than financial need. Some people who wait until the last minute to file their returns simply need time to look for additional deductions or gather receipts.
Income under $500. —A single person with less than $500 income should file a return to get a refund if tax was withheld. A married person with less than $500 income should always file a joint return with husband or wife to get the lesser tax or larger refund for the couple.
Depending on what amount of income and which credits you specify on the W-4, the more or less tax will be withheld. Having less taken out will give you bigger paychecks, but a smaller tax refund (or potentially no tax refund or a tax bill at the end of the year).
As of the 2021 tax year, the minimum gross income requirements are: Single and under age 65: $12,550. Single and age 65 or older: $14,250. Married filing jointly and both spouses are under age 65: $25,100.
Meet the California adjusted gross income (CA AGI) amounts described in the What you may receive section. Have been a California resident for six months or more of the 2020 tax year. Have not been claimed as a dependent in the 2020 tax year. Be a California resident on the date this payment is issued.
The very basic and general answer is this: as a filing single or married filing separate person, if your 2021 income did not not equal or exceed the standard deduction limit of $12,550 and you do not owe any special taxes or have any special tax situations that require you to file, you do not need to file.
Affordability: Most tax preparation software or apps cost less than $50 to buy and can file your federal return for free. Speed: Many of the programs require less than a half hour of your time to file your return. User-friendly: The programs walk you through filing step-by-step and help you avoid costly mistakes.
You can still qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EIC) as long as you have earned income and meet all the other EIC qualifications. Being unemployed, not working, and/or not meeting the filing threshold doesn't automatically disqualify you from the EIC.
Do Minors Have to File Taxes? Minors have to file taxes if their earned income is greater than $12,550 (increasing to $12,950 in 2022). If your child only has unearned income, the threshold is $1,100 (increasing to $1,150 in 2022).
If you make $32,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $5,488. That means that your net pay will be $26,512 per year, or $2,209 per month. Your average tax rate is 17.2% and your marginal tax rate is 25.2%.
If you make $15,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $1,518. That means that your net pay will be $13,483 per year, or $1,124 per month. Your average tax rate is 10.1% and your marginal tax rate is 33.1%.
New for 2021
Married couples filing jointly: $25,100. Singles and married couples filing separately: $12,550. Heads of households: $18,800.
Single, under the age of 65 and not older or blind, you must file your taxes if: Unearned income was more than $1,100. Earned income was more than $12,400. Gross income was more than the larger of $1,100 or on earned income up to $12,050 plus $350.
And if you made $3,000 you do not have to file taxes as this amount is clearly less than this minimum threshold. It is also worth noting that if your dependent's income came from self-employment, then the IRS requires anyone earning more than $400 in a year to file taxes, regardless of filing or dependency status.
For single dependents who are under the age of 65 and not blind, you generally must file a federal income tax return if your unearned income (such as from ordinary dividends or taxable interest) was more than $1,050 or if your earned income (such as from wages or salary) was more than $12,000.