When am i required to file a tax return

Do I Have to File a Return 2022?

Should I file taxes or do I have to file a 2022 Return? How much do I have to make?

Whether you have to or should file a 2022 Tax Return in 2023 is answered here. The very basic and general answer is this: as a filing single or married filing separate person, if your 2022 income did not equal or exceed the standard deduction limit of $12,950 and you do not owe any special taxes or have any special tax situations, you do not need to file. For the head of household filing status, the income limit would be at or above $21,150 and, for married filing jointly and qualifying widow(er), $25,900.

To File or Not to File in 2022?

There are many more factors that might require you to file or it might be beneficial for you to file. See the Reasons to File a Return examples and more detailed minimum income tax return filing requirements below. Even if you do not make enough to file, in order for you to take advantage of eligible tax credits, you will have to file a tax return; use any of these free tools and calculators to find out if you do qualify. Sometimes, you may want to file if you have no income.

The free eFile.com FILEucator gives you your personal answer on whether you have to e-file or file a tax return quickly and accurately.

Your filing requirements to prepare and eFile a 2022 federal income tax return by April 15, 2023 depend on the following factors: taxable income, filing status, eligible tax credits, and your dependency status.

See also: when do I have to file taxes?

Review the sections to find out if you are required to file a 2022 Tax Return in 2023:

• Minimum income tax return filing requirements
• Reasons you may want to file a tax return
• Other reasons you may need to file a return
• Taxable versus nontaxable income.

Reasons to File a Return

How much money do I have to make to file taxes? Do I have to file taxes if I make less than $10,000? What if I am a dependent?

Let's say a single person without a qualified child(ren) had a total of $7,900 taxable income in 2022 and was born in 1997 or before. Since the standard deduction for a single person in 2022 is $12,950, it's easy to assume not to file a tax return as it would result in zero tax refund and zero taxes owed. Not so! The eFile.com tax app would automatically apply the Earned Income Tax Credit - EITC for this taxpayer. Those aged between 25 and 65 may be able to claim the credit which could be worth up to $560 for 2022 for singles with no dependents.

In addition, the taxpayer in question may have one or more qualified dependents or children, regardless of age. With this credit, this could be a refundable credit of up to $3,733. This may also be refunded with the Child Tax Credit. Eligible refundable tax credits might reduce the tax liability and/or increase the tax refund. To see if you qualify for the EITC, use this free Earned Income Credit calculator or EITCucator.

Important: Are you missing a stimulus check? You have to file taxes to get a missing stimulus check, even if you have no income or do not normally file taxes. Note: you cannot claim any federal stimulus checks by filing a 2022 Return; see how to claim the IRS stimulus checks via back taxes and see which states offered stimulus programs.

Filing Scenarios

Do you need to file taxes as a dependent? If you are a dependent on someone's tax return - for example, if your parents are going to claim you on their taxes - then you file taxes differently if you work or have income. As a dependent with income, your standard deduction is generally lower. If you work as a dependent and have taxes withheld from your pay - review this on the W-2 you receive at the end of the year - then you will want to file to report this and potentially receive it back as a refund. Parents or guardians do not claim their dependent's income on their tax return.

Must I file if I am over 65 with Social Security income? Find tax benefits and information around your Social Security. You may need to file a return if you have Social Security income along with other income.

Not sure if you need to file a return as a student? If you work during school and receive income, even if it isn't a lot, it may be beneficial if you file a return and report your income. On your return, report the information from a Form W-2 received from working a part-time job or from a 1099 form if you were self employed or on contract. Additionally, you may be able to claim an education tax credit which can only be credited if you file.

If you are a student and receive a 1098-T, you should file taxes as you may be able to get a refundable tax credit. If you live with your parent or parents and they claim you on their taxes, it may be beneficial for them to report your 1098-T on their return since they likely have more substantial income and thus would benefit from it more.

You may be able to find a reason to file a tax return even if you earn less than the standard deduction - find out below.

We spare you the time and effort of researching whether you have to file a tax return or not; simply use the free and easy FILEucator to find out now. Just click and answer a few questions and you will know. Even if you're not required to file a 2021 Return, there are reasons you may want to e-file a tax return.

If you have determined that you may need to or want to file taxes, start below:

Start Your 2022 IRS and State Tax Return Now
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Tax Tip: File a tax return or tax extension on time if you owe taxes, even if you can't pay the taxes on time. Keep in mind that the late-filing penalties are considerably higher than the penalties for not paying taxes on time.

Criteria to File Income Tax Returns

The minimum income required to file a tax return for Tax Year 2022 depends on your taxable income, eligible credits, age, and filing status during the tax year. The minimum income levels for the various filing statuses are listed on our standard deduction page. If you make more than the standard deduction for your age and filing status, then you are required to file a tax return.

If you earned below the minimum income for your filing status, you may not be required to file a federal tax return. However, there are reasons why you may still want to file; see a detailed listing below.

Income: W-2 Wages, Salary

Generally, if your income is below the current standard deduction, you don't have to file a return. However, it might still be beneficial for you to file as stated with the example above and information below. Review W-2 Income.

Income: Independent Contractor, Self-Employment

Generally, if your self employment income is at least $400, you are required to file a return. Report your self-employment income on your return in addition to any other income you may have received during the tax year.

Income: Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment income is always taxable in the federal level; this income will be reported to you and the IRS on Form 1099-G. Visit the states page to find information on state unemployment benefits. In most cases, taxes are withheld from unemployment payments. If you received unemployment benefits during the year, you would need to report them on your return.

Household Employment Taxes

If you employ any person(s) to work in your home or other residency, then you are a household employer and will owe household employment taxes. These include hiring a maid, gardener, babysitter, or other person who performs work in or around a private residence of yours. This does not include independent contractors, like plumbers or repairmen.  

Refundable Tax Credits

Fully or partially refundable tax credits are dollar amounts that may be owed to you even if you do not owe tax. In other words, you need to file a return to claim them. The following tax credits are refundable, some of which do not require earned income to file:

• Earned Income Tax Credit (requires earned income): If you qualify, you must file a return to receive the full amount; see if you qualify by using this free EITCucator.
• For 2021 only: Child Tax Credit (no earned income requirement for 2021; for 2022 and all other years: requires earned income): As part of the third stimulus package, the 2021 Child Tax Credit or CTC was fully refundable and you must file to receive the full amount. See details on the advance payments of the CTC. For all other years, including 2022, the CTC is partially refundable.
• American Opportunity Credit (no earned income requirement): This credit is partially refundable and can only be claimed by filing a tax return. See education information and taxes. If you have no taxable income and thus no tax, your maximum refundable credit is $1,000. 
• For 2020 and 2021 Returns only: Recovery Rebate Credit or stimulus payments (no earned income requirement): Claim any missing advance stimulus payments by filing a tax return. The third stimulus payment can be claimed on the 2021 Return - eFileIT - and the first and second payments can only be claimed by filing back taxes for 2020.

Alternative Minimum Tax

You may owe the Alternative Minimum Tax if your AMT is greater than your standard tax liability. The eFile App will determine which you will be subject to.

Social Security, Medicare Taxes

You may owe Social Security tax if you have other sources of income - see page for details. Medicare taxes may also be owed. This goes for unreported tip income; report any tip income to your employer so they can withhold Social Security, retirement, Medicare, etc.

Church related Income

If you earned $108.28 or more in income from a tax-exempt church or church-controlled organization, taxes do apply against this income. No deductions for trade or business expenses are allowed against this self-employment income.

Premium Tax Credit

If you received advance payments of the Premium Tax Credit, you would have to file a return in order to receive the full credit or pay it partially back if you received too much. This credit is refundable if you did not claim your full amount in advance and will need to be claimed on a tax return.

Adoption Tax Credit

If you adopted a qualifying child, you must file to claim the Adoption Tax Credit. Though nonrefundable, this credit can lower your taxes. See the page to find how to claim it.

If you determine that you should file taxes, start free here - eFile.com makes it easy to claim tax credits, tax deductions, and maximize your tax refund. Depending on your situation, you may be able to file taxes for free via eFile.com.

Additional Resources

• Use these free tax calculators, courtesy of eFile.com, to determine your filing situation for your 2021 Return.
• Find out if you are required to file previous tax year return(s).
• Learn about tax history and how technology has allowed e-filing to become the most popular form of filing.
• Why prepare your taxes with eFile.com?

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