How much money do you have to make to file taxes? What is the minimum income to file taxes?

Let’s take a look at the requirements for the minimum income to file taxes in 2012 (and due in 2013).

2012 Minimum Income Requirements

The IRS released the minimum income to file taxes in 2012. Again this year, there is an increase in the minimum income to file.

For the 2012 tax year, you will need to file taxes if your gross income meets the minimum income for your filing status ^[1] and age:

This table does not apply to dependents. See When Do Kids Need to File Taxes? ^[2] for minimum income to file taxes for children.

Social Security Income

Gross income doesn’t include social security benefits ^[3].

However, there is an exception to this rule if half of your social security ^[4] benefits plus your other gross income is more than $25,000 ($32,000 if married filing jointly). Once that happens, you’ll need to file a 2012 tax return. Married filing separate also have different social security rules. For more information, see Do You Have to Pay Income Tax on Social Security? ^[5]

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 are self employed, you will also need to file and pay self employment tax ^[6].

More Tax Filing Requirements

Optional filing. Even if you are not required to file a tax return, you can choose to file one. You may want to file an optional tax return ^[7] if you had any federal withholding or are entitled to tax credits, like the earned income tax credit ^[8], and want to get a refund.

Other 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 17 ^[9].

When to file. If you earn enough money to file a tax return, you must file your tax return by the tax deadline ^[10].

After you file. Once you file, you can see How Long Does it Take to Get Your Tax Refund Back? ^[11]

2012 Tax Calculator

If you are under the minimum income to file taxes, and are unsure whether or not filing your taxes will benefit you, use our 2012 Tax Calculator ^[12] to compute your tax liability and refund.

Tax Filing Online

Now that you know how much money you have to make to file taxes, go ahead and file your taxes online with TurboTax ^[13]!