Check if you need to file a tax return

Most U.S. citizens or permanent residents who work in the U.S. have to file a tax return.

Generally, you need to file if:

• Your income is over the filing requirement
• You have over $400 in net earnings from self-employment (side jobs or other independent work)
• You had other situations that require you to file

Income amount that requires you to file

If you were under 65 at the end of 2023

You may want to file a return even if you made less to get a refund of taxes your employer withheld from your pay.

If you were 65 or older at the end of 2023

$29,200 or more (one spouse under 65)
$30,700 or more (both spouses 65 or older)

Dependents

Use this table if your parent or someone else can claim you as a dependent:

Earned income: Salaries, wages, tips, professional fees, and taxable scholarship and fellowship grants.

Unearned income: Taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and capital gain distributions, unemployment compensation, taxable Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities and distributions of unearned income from a trust.

Gross income: Earned plus unearned income.

• $1,250, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $400

• $3,100, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $2,250

• $1,250, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $400

• $2,750, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $1,900

Dependents who are blind:

Use this table if your parent or someone else can claim you as a dependent and you’re blind.

• $3,100, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $2,250

• $4,950, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $4,100

• $2,750, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $1,900

• $4,250, or
• Earned income (up to $13,450) plus $3,400

If you’re still not sure if you need to file

File even if you don’t have to

Even if you make less than the income that requires you to file, consider filing anyway. You may get money back.

• If you qualify for a refundable tax credit
• If your paycheck had federal income tax withheld
• If you made estimated tax payments