How much money do you have to make to file taxes? What is the minimum income to file taxes? Every year, those are familiar questions that I get. Let’s take a look at the requirements for the minimum income to file taxes in 2010.
2010 Minimum Income Requirements
For the 2010 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 |
$12,050 |
$13,450 |
| 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 does not apply to dependents. See When Do Kids Need to File Taxes? for minimum income to file taxes for children.
Social Security Income
Gross income doesn’t include social security benefits.
However, there is an exception to this rule if half of your social security 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 2010 tax return. 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 17.
For last years requirements you can see the minimum income to file taxes in 2009.
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 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?
2010 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 2010 Tax Calculator to compute your tax liability and refund.
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!
