2020 US tax return: what's the minimum income to file taxes?
Depending on their earnings, US taxpayers may not have to submit a tax return. Here's a breakdown of the income requirements for filing taxes.
Taxpayers in the United States have until 15 April 2021 to submit their federal income tax return for 2020 - but people whose earnings didn't reach a certain level do not have to file.
Here's an overview of how much you need to have earned in 2020 to be required to complete a US tax return this year.
Income requirements for most people
For most taxpayers, a tax return must be filed if your income exceeded the following minimum income limits last year:
| Filing status | Age at end of 2020 | Minimum gross income |
| Single | Under 65 | $12,400 |
| Single | 65 or over | $14,050 |
| Married joint filer | Both spouses under 65 | $24,800 |
| Married joint filer | One spouse under 65 | $26,100 |
| Married joint filer | Both spouses over 65 | $27,400 |
| Married separate filer | Any | $5 |
| Head of household | Under 65 | $18,650 |
| Head of household | 65 or over | $20,300 |
| Qualifying widow(er) | Under 65 | $24,800 |
| Qualifying widow(er) | 65 or over | $26,100 |
Source: IRS
IRS information sheet with further details
Income requirements for dependents
If you are claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return, a different set of income requirements apply to you. Dependents whose earnings are over the following minimums must file a 2020 return:
| Single | Married | |||||
| Age at end of 2020: | Under 65 | 65 or over | 65 or over and blind | Under 65 | 65 or over | 65 or over and blind |
| Unearned income above: | $1,100 | $2,750 | $4,400 | $1,100 | $2,400 | $3,700 |
| Earned income above: | $12,400 | $14,050 | $15,700 | $12,400 | $13,700 | $15,000 |
| Gross income above larger of: | $1,100 or earned income (max. $12,050) + $350 | $2,750 or earned income (max. $12,050) + $2,000 | $4,400 or earned income (max. $12,050) + $3,650 | $1,100 or earned income (max. $12,050) + $350 | $2,400 or earned income (max. $12,050) + $1,650 | $3,700 or earned income (max. $12,050) + $2,950 |
*Married dependents must file a tax return if their income was at least $5 and their spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions.
Source: IRS
Other situations in which you'll need to file a tax return
According to the IRS, you must also file a tax return if, for example:
- You are self-employed and had net earnings of at least $400 in 2020
- You owe any special taxes
- You earned $108.28 or more from a "church or a qualified church-controlled organization that is exempt from employer social security and Medicare taxes".
Full IRS list of other situations in which you must file a return