When do you have to file taxes

Q: What happens if I dont file taxes?

If you fail to file your taxes on time, youll likely encounter whats called a Failure to File Penalty. The penalty for failing to file represents 5% of your unpaid tax liability for each month your return is late, up to 25% of your total unpaid taxes. If youre due a refund, theres no penalty for failure to file.

The minimum income amount depends on your filing status and age. In 2021, for example, the minimum for single filing status if under age 65 is $12,550. If your income is below that threshold, you generally do not need to file a federal tax return. Review the full list below for other filing statuses and ages.

Table of Contents Show

Do I Have to File Taxes? — Additional Considerations
When are taxes due?
When should I file taxes?
What do I need to file taxes?
Do I have to pay taxes on unemployment income?
How do I file taxes?
When will I get my tax refund?
How do I prevent tax fraud?
At what point am I required to file taxes?
Does my 18 year old have to file taxes?
Do I have to file taxes if I made less than $5 000?
What happens if I don't file taxes?

Wondering if you need to file to get your stimulus payment? Review our stimulus payment information.

Minimum income to file taxes

Single filing status:
- $12,550 if under age 65
- $14,250 if age 65 or older
Married filing jointly:
- $25,100 if both spouses under age 65
- $26,450 if one spouse under age 65 and one age 65 or older
- $27,800 if both spouses age 65 or older
Married filing separately — $5 for all ages
Head of household:
- $18,800 if under age 65
- $20,500 if age 65 or older
Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child:
- $25,100 if under age 65
- $26,450 if age 65 or older

You might also be required to file for other reasons, such as if you’re self-employed or paid on a 1099-MISC form, or bought health insurance from a state or federal marketplace. If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return, separate filing thresholds apply. Please see IRS Publication 501 for additional information.

Do I Have to File Taxes? — Additional Considerations

Although your income may be below the minimum income to file taxes as shown above, you may not haveto file taxes, but there may be times when you wantto file a return.

Refund of withheld income taxes – If you received pay during the year and had income tax withheld, you may want to file a return to obtain a refund of the amount withheld.
Earned income tax credit – This benefit is a refundable credit, meaning even if you do not owe taxes, you can still get a refund. Depending on your income and the number of children you have, lower-income workers may be eligible for an EITC of $510 to $6,318. Note: You do not need to have children to be eligible.

If you determine that you do need and want to file your taxes, keep in mind that H&R Block offers free and easy online tax filing options.

When are taxes due?

The federal tax deadline has been slightly extended for individuals for 2022 returns.

Typically, the deadline to file taxes is April 15, although it's been extended to May and beyond in recent years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, it's on April 18, 2023, to accommodate the holiday of Emancipation Day on April 17, which is recognized in Washington DC. State tax deadlines may vary so make sure to check your state's government website for accurate information.

When should I file taxes?

You may start preparing your return as soon as you receive your W-2 and all other other tax documents required to be reported on your return. The IRS begins accepting tax returns in late January. It's recommended to file electronically to get your refund as quickly as possible.

What do I need to file taxes?

Employees need W-2s and non-employees, including contractors or gig workers, need 1099s. These forms will either be mailed to you in February or will be available online through your payroll company.

Banks are also required to send 1099s to customers who received interest or dividends.

If you still don't have your W-2 by the tax deadline, you can use the W-2 substitute, Form 4852, and estimate your wages and withheld taxes. Note that the IRS could delay your refund while verifying the information.

You'll also need your adjusted gross income (AGI) from the previous year to sign and file your tax return.

Do I have to pay taxes on unemployment income?

Yes, unemployment benefits received in 2022 are taxable. The exemptions that applied to income tax on unemployment benefits granted under the American Rescue Plan only applied to benefits collected in 2020.

If you're currently or have been recently unemployed and can't afford to pay your taxes, make sure to file a return anyway. There is a penalty for filing late or neglecting to file at all. You can request an installment agreement to help you pay taxes over time. You can do this online through the IRS website, by filling out Form 9465, or by calling the IRS for help.

How do I file taxes?

You can file online yourself, potentially for free, or visit a tax professional.

If your adjusted gross income (AGI) was less than $73,000 in 2022, you might qualify to prepare and file your federal return, and maybe your state return, at no cost through one of the IRS partners, regardless of how complicated your tax situation is. Also, most active duty military qualify for free filing.

If your income exceeds $73,000, or you're not interested in the platforms offered in partnership with the IRS, check out our list of the best tax software to use this year.

After filing out the required forms, your tax preparer will calculate whether you owe additional income tax or you're getting a refund. If you don't pay what you owe by April 18 (or request an extension), penalties may apply.

When will I get my tax refund?

Online filing remains the most efficient process, and is recommended by the IRS, which usually issues refunds to most people who e-file their returns within a few weeks. In general, the IRS assures filers that the quickest — and safest — method for getting a federal refund is filing electronically and opting for direct deposit.

If your tax return was flagged by the IRS for errors, manual processing, or fraud detection, your refund could take longer. You can contact the IRS to check on your refund in this case.

To find out when your refund is coming once tax season begins, use the tracking tool on the IRS website beginning 24 hours after e-filing your return. You'll need your exact refund amount, Social Security number or taxpayer ID number, and filing status.

How do I prevent tax fraud?

It's easy to procrastinate filing your taxes, but putting it off makes you more vulnerable to fraud. If a scammer gets hold of your Social Security number and you haven't filed a tax return yet, they could easily file a fake one in your name to get a refund.

Scam calls are ubiquitous during tax season. Keep in mind that if the IRS needs to get in touch with a taxpayer, it sends a letter — not an email, not a phone call, and definitely not a message over social media. Especially when it's investigating cases of tax fraud or performing an audit.

Never return a phone call from someone claiming to be with the IRS. Instead, individuals should call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040, and businesses should call 1-800-829-4933.

The US Department of Justice says the IRS never discusses personal tax issues through unsolicited emails or texts, or over social media. Always be wary if you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the IRS who says you owe money.

If you receive an unexpected and suspicious email from the IRS, forward it to .

Tanza is a CFP® professional and former correspondent for Personal Finance Insider. She broke down personal finance news and wrote about taxes, investing, retirement, wealth building, and debt management. She helmed a biweekly newsletter and a column answering reader questions about money. Tanza is the author of two ebooks, A Guide to Financial Planners and "The One-Month Plan to Master your Money." In 2020, Tanza was the editorial lead on Master Your Money, a yearlong original series providing financial tools, advice, and inspiration to millennials. Tanza joined Business Insider in June 2015 and is an alumna of Elon University, where she studied journalism and Italian. She is based in Los Angeles.

At what point am I required to file taxes?

Does my 18 year old have to file taxes?

A minor who earns less than $12,950 will not owe taxes but may choose to file a return to receive a refund of withheld earnings. A child who earns $1,150 or more (tax year 2022) in "unearned income,” such as dividends or interest, needs to file a tax return.

Do I have to file taxes if I made less than $5 000?

Do You Have to File Taxes If You Made Less than $5,000? Typically, if a filer files less than $5,000 per year, they don't need to do any filing for the IRS. Your employment status can also be used to determine if you're making less than $5,000.

What happens if I don't file taxes?

If you fail to file your taxes on time, you'll likely encounter what's called a Failure to File Penalty. The penalty for failing to file represents 5% of your unpaid tax liability for each month your return is late, up to 25% of your total unpaid taxes. If you're due a refund, there's no penalty for failure to file.

file taxes