How much money do you have to make to file taxes? That seems to be a popular question these days, especially for people that made less money last year due to the economy.
2009 Income Requirements
For the 2009 tax year, you need to file taxes if your gross income meets the minimum income for your filing status and age:
| Filing Status |
Minimum Gross Income (under 65) |
Minimum Gross Income (65+) |
| Single |
$9,350 |
$10,750 |
| Head of Household |
$12,000 |
$13,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly |
$18,700 |
$19,800 (one spouse)
$20,900 (both spouses) |
| Married Filing Separately |
$3,650 |
$3,650 |
| Widow with Dependent Child |
$15,050 |
$16,150 |
This table doesn’t apply to dependents. See When Do Kids Need to File Taxes? for income levels for children.
Social Security Income
Gross income doesn’t include social security benefits. The exception to this rule is if half of your social security benefits plus your other gross income is more than $25,000 ($32,000 if married filing jointly). Married filing separate also have different social security rules.
Other Income Sources
There are special rules for self employment earnings and church earnings. You must file taxes if your:
- Self employment net earnings are greater than $400.
- Church earnings are greater than $108.28 and are exempt from employer Social Security and Medicare.
If you earn enough money to file a tax return, you must file your tax return by the tax deadline.
Other Tax Filing Requirements
In addition to the income requirements, there are other circumstances when you must file a tax return. One example is if you sold your home. For all the requirements, see Publication 501.
Optional Filing
Even if you are not required to file a tax return, you can choose to file one. You may want to do this if you had any federal withholding or are entitled to tax credits, like the earned income tax credit, and want to get a refund.
Once you file, you can see How Long Does it Take to Get Your Tax Refund Back?
Tax Filing Online
Now that you know how much money you have to make to file taxes, you can go ahead and file your taxes online right now for free with TurboTax!
I always laugh a little when I see articles about paying your taxes in the US.
It just seems so difficult.
In Estonia (look it up on a map!) where I live it is a lot easier:
When the yearly tax paying period starts you need to log into your account at the government’s website. All the information is already pre-filled and calculated for you. You just need to click “next” a few times and make sure there are no obvious errors and if you should get something back – it will be wired to your bank account by the next day.
Dealing with taxes takes about 5 – 10 minutes a year.
So no one really bothers to write any articles it as well!
@ Roman: Wow, sounds so easy! How do they know how much self-employment income you have to prefill it?
Waitaminit. Do I understand this correctly?
If HALF your Social Security plus ALL your gross income from other sources = <$25,000, you don’t have to file a tax return? In other words, you wouldn’t pay any income taxes?
ALL gross income? Does that include capital gains taxes on drawdowns from a regular IRA or 403(b)?
That sounds too good to be true.
@ Funny about Money: Yep, you read it correctly. All the income includes retirement plan distributions, tax exempt interest and other exclusions from income.
Here’s more info from the IRS: Are Your Social Security Benefits Taxable?
I’ve been divorced for 3 years now. On my divorce papers it says that I can claim my daughter on my taxes until my ex wife gets a job. Then we switch each year on claiming our daughter. My ex has remarried and I pay child support. Well the 2008 tax year she worked. I’m not sure how much she made last year. My deal is if my ex does a joint return then that means her husband can use my daughter on their tax return? My ex lives in a really small town in Arkansas and I live in San Diego. Do I go by what just my ex made, or can she use what she made (which I’m pretty sure isn’t that much)? I just don’t want to be screwed on my taxes. Any help would be great.
My suggestion is to follow the divorce decree. Start by sending a certified mail letter to you ex wife asking her to prove her income (so you can make sure she has a job each year) and them include a signed agreement as to with year odd or even as to who gets to claim the child. IRS does provide a form that the other parent must sign IF you think there will be a problem. It is not necessary for this form but it clears up any questions as to which one will claim the child. You could always make a deal with her to claim your daughter each year and then share a portion of your return.
Great article. Hopefully you’ll update us soon on how your new business and rental properties are working out!!
@ Shelly: Thanks for the reminder! I just posted an update on the business. I’ll work on putting something together soon for the rentals.