The minimum income threshold for filing taxes varies depending on your filing status and age. For single filers under age 65, the minimum income to file in 2019 is $12,200. For married couples filing jointly, the minimum is $24,400. For heads of household, the minimum is $18,350. Individuals who are 65 or older have higher minimum income thresholds. If your income is below these thresholds, you are not required to file a tax return. However, there are some exceptions to these rules. For example, you may need to file a return if you owe self-employment taxes or if you received advance payments of the premium tax credit for health insurance.
Income Thresholds for Different Tax Statuses
The income threshold for filing taxes varies depending on your filing status. The following are the income thresholds for the different filing statuses for 2019:
- Single: $12,200
- Married filing jointly: $24,400
- Married filing separately: $12,200
- Head of household: $18,350
| Filing Status | Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| Single | $12,200 |
| Married filing jointly | $24,400 |
| Married filing separately | $12,200 |
| Head of household | $18,350 |
If your income is below the threshold for your filing status, you are not required to file a tax return. However, there are some situations where you may want to file a tax return even if you are not required to do so. For example, you may want to file a tax return if you are due a refund or if you need to claim a tax credit.
Dependency Exemptions
A dependency exemption reduces your taxable income by a certain amount for each qualifying person you claim as a dependent. For 2019, the dependency exemption amount is $4,150. To claim a dependency exemption, the person must meet all of the following requirements:
- The person must be your qualifying child or qualifying relative.
- The person must have lived with you for more than half the year.
- The person must not have provided more than half of their own support for the year.
- The person must not have filed a joint tax return with their spouse.
Income Requirements
The minimum income to file taxes in 2019 depends on your filing status and whether or not you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. The following table shows the minimum income requirements for each filing status:
| Filing Status | Minimum Income |
|---|---|
| Single | $12,200 |
| Married filing jointly | $24,400 |
| Married filing separately | $12,200 |
| Head of household | $18,350 |
If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, you do not need to file a tax return unless you meet one of the following exceptions:
- You had self-employment income of $400 or more.
- You had net income from non-employee sources (such as investments) of $1,050 or more.
- You had gross income of $12,200 or more.
Age-Based Considerations for Tax Filers
The minimum income required to file taxes in 2019 varies based on age. The following table summarizes the minimum income thresholds for different age groups:
| Age Group | Single | Married Filing Jointly |
|---|---|---|
| Under 65 | $12,200 | $24,400 |
| 65 or older | $13,850 | $27,700 |
For individuals who are blind or have other disabilities, the minimum income thresholds are higher. Individuals who can be claimed as dependents on someone else’s tax return may also have lower minimum income thresholds.
What is the Deadline to File Taxes in 2019?
The deadline to file your federal income tax return is April 15, 2019. This is the same deadline for most states. However, there are a few states that have different deadlines.
State Tax Deadlines
The following table lists the state tax deadlines for 2019:
| State | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Alabama | April 15 |
| Alaska | April 30 |
| Arizona | April 15 |
| Arkansas | April 15 |
| California | April 15 |
| Colorado | April 15 |
| Connecticut | April 15 |
| Delaware | April 15 |
| District of Columbia | April 15 |
| Florida | April 15 |
| Georgia | April 15 |
| Hawaii | April 15 |
| Idaho | April 15 |
| Illinois | April 15 |
| Indiana | April 15 |
| Iowa | April 15 |
| Kansas | April 15 |
| Kentucky | April 15 |
| Louisiana | April 15 |
| Maine | April 15 |
| Maryland | April 15 |
| Massachusetts | April 15 |
| Michigan | April 15 |
| Minnesota | April 15 |
| Mississippi | April 15 |
| Missouri | April 15 |
| Montana | April 15 |
| Nebraska | April 15 |
| Nevada | April 15 |
| New Hampshire | April 15 |
| New Jersey | April 15 |
| New Mexico | April 15 |
| New York | April 15 |
| North Carolina | April 15 |
| North Dakota | April 15 |
| Ohio | April 15 |
| Oklahoma | April 15 |
| Oregon | April 15 |
| Pennsylvania | April 15 |
| Rhode Island | April 15 |
| South Carolina | April 15 |
| South Dakota | April 15 |
| Tennessee | April 15 |
| Texas | April 15 |
| Utah | April 15 |
| Vermont | April 15 |
| Virginia | April 15 |
| Washington | April 15 |
| West Virginia | April 15 |
| Wisconsin | April 15 |
| Wyoming | April 15 |
If you live in one of these states, you must file your state income tax return by the deadline listed. If you do not file by the deadline, you may be subject to penalties and interest charges.
Alright, there you have it, folks! Now you know the minimum income required to file taxes in 2019. Remember, this information can change in the future, so be sure to check back in with us next year around tax season to stay up-to-date. In the meantime, if you have any more tax-related questions, don’t hesitate to give us a shout. And hey, thanks for stopping by!