How much money to you have to make in one year before you have to file?

Answer 1

There are a lot of different answers to that, depending on your filing status and on where the income is from.

If you had self-employment (not on a W-2) income of over$400, you are required to file. If not, the following limits apply:

If you can be claimed as a dependent, the limit is $5150.

If your filing status is single and you can't be claimed as a dependent, the limit is $8450.

Married filing a joint return, $16,900.

Married filing separately, $3300.

There are other limits for other filing statuses, and if you're 65 or over, the limits increase slightly.

See page 5, IRS Publication 17 for more detail.

Answer 2

For 2006 tax returns, individuals younger than age 65 must file

If a child (or any unmarried dependent younger than 65) has unearned income of more than $850, that person has to file. A return is also required if the dependent's earned income is more than $5,150.


$8,450 as single filers. · $10,850 as head of household filers. · $16,900 as married couples filing jointly and both husband and wife are younger than 65.

The earnings threshold amounts go up a bit for older (65-plus) individuals:

· $9,700 for single filers. · $12,100 for head of household filers. · $17,900 for married couples filing jointly where one spouse is age 65 or older. · $18,900 for married couples filing jointly where both partners are 65 or older.

The earnings target is the same -- $3,300 -- for married couples filing separately, regardless of age.

If you are confused, go to www.taxact.com and fill out the easiest form for your situation for free and see if you owe or better yet, if they owe you.