15 Mar - Get to know if you meet all the requirements to file taxes
The minimum salary to file taxes changes every year, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how much you have to make to file taxes each time tax season rolls around since there are penalties for filing taxes late.
| Filing Status | Age | Minimum Self-Employment Income |
| Single | Under 65 | $10,400 |
| Single | 65 or older | $11,950 |
| Married Filing Jointly | Under 65 (both spouses) | $20,800 |
| Married Filing Jointly | 65 or older (one spouse) | $22,050 |
| Married Filing Jointly | 65 or older (both spouses) | $23,300 |
| Married Filing Separately | Any age | $4,050 |
| Head of Household | Under 65 años | $13,400 |
| Head of Household | 65 or older | $14,950 |
| Qualifying Widow(er) | Under 65 | $16,750 |
| Qualifying Widow(er) | 65 or older | $18,000 |
The minimum salary requirements for dependents to file taxes also differ. It gets a little trickier when you’re a dependent because you have to calculate both unearned incomes (such as investments) and earned income.
Single dependents under 65 and not blind are required to file taxes if:
- Earned income exceeded $6,350
- Unearned income exceeded $1,050
- Gross income was more than $1,050 or the income acquired was up to $6,000 plus $350
Single dependents 65 years or older or blind are required to file taxes if:
- Earned income exceeded $7,600 ($8,850 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind)
- Unearned income exceeded $2,600 ($4,150 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind)
- Gross income was more than $2,600 ($4,150 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind) or earned income up to $6,000 plus $1,900 ($3,450 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind)
Single dependents under 65 and not blind are required to file taxes if:
- Earned income exceeded $6,350
- Earned income exceeded $6,350
- Gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions
- Gross income was more than $1,050 or the earned income was up to $6,000 plus $350
Single dependents 65 years or older or blind are required to file taxes if:
- Earned income exceeded $7,600 ($8,850 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind)
- Unearned income exceeded $2,300 ($3,550 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind)
- Gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions
- Gross income was higher between $2,300 ($3,550 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind) or earned income up to $6,000 plus $1,600 ($2,850 if both the informant and dependent are 65 or older and blind)
The minimum income requirement to file taxes is the combined total of your standard deduction and personal exemption. If you claim the standard deduction, take note that you cannot itemize deductions as well.