Lesson 5: Who Needs to File a Tax Return?
This lesson aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the criteria that determine who must file a federal income tax return.
General Filing Requirements
Generally, you must file a federal income tax return if your income is above a certain threshold. These thresholds are determined based on your filing status, age, and the type of income you received.
Filing Status and Age
The IRS requires taxpayers to file based on different filing statuses and age brackets. You can read more about determining your filing status in Lesson 4: Determining Your Filing Status. For more in-depth study, check out Federal Income Taxation (Concepts and Insights).
Thresholds Example for 2022 Tax Year
| Filing Status | Age | Minimum Income |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Under 65 | $12,950 |
| Married Filing Jointly | Both under 65 | $25,900 |
| Head of Household | Under 65 | $19,400 |
Special Circumstances
There are special circumstances under which you might need to file a tax return even if your income is below the general thresholds. Some of these include:
- Self-employment income of $400 or more
- Received advanced payments of the Premium Tax Credit
- Owed taxes on retirement plan distributions
Flow Diagram of Filing Requirements
Mathematical Representation of Income Threshold
The income threshold can be represented mathematically as:
Conclusion
Understanding who needs to file a tax return is crucial for compliance with federal tax laws. Make sure you assess your filing status, age, and income accurately to determine your filing obligations.