Your tax filing requirements usually depend on three things: Show
Filing statusThere are five filing statuses:
Read on to learn more about each filing status and to get additional tax filing information. SingleYou meet the filing requirements for single status if, on the last day of the year, both of these apply:
You might also be single if you were widowed before Jan. 1, 2021, and didn’t remarry during 2021. However, you might be able to lower your tax if you qualify to file as either:
If you meet the single status tax filing requirements and you’re under 65, you must file if your federal gross income was $12,550 or more. If you’re 65 or older, you must file if your federal gross income was $14,250 or more. Married filing jointlyYou’re considered married if, on the last day of the year, both of these applied:
A married couple can file married filing jointly or married filing separately returns. If your spouse dies during the year, both you and your spouse are considered married for that year. If you don’t remarry during the year, you can file a joint return or separate returns. If you do remarry in the same year your spouse died, you must do both of these:
Married filing separatelyA married couple can file either a joint return or separate returns. However, a joint return often results in a lower federal tax. If you file separate returns, the tax rates are usually higher. Plus, the IRS limits deductions and credits you can receive if you file separately. Qualifying widow(er)You meet the filing requirements for the qualifying widow(er) filing status if all of these apply:
Head of householdTo meet the filing requirements for the head of household filing status, these must be true:
To learn more, see Publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax. Married but considered unmarried for tax purposesTo be considered unmarried under the tax filing requirements, all of these must apply:
Ex: Let’s assume you:
If you paid more than half the cost of maintaining the home where you and your child lived all year, you’re considered unmarried for tax purposes. In this case, you’re entitled to file as head of household. By filing as head of household, you might be able to claim credits and deductions not available to married filing separately filers. These include:
To find out about what about an exemption is, or to learn more, see Publication 501: Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information. 2021 tax filing requirements for most peopleYou’re required to file a return for 2021 if you have a certain amount of gross income. Gross income requirements for each filing status are:
2020 tax filing requirements for children and other dependentsIf your parent or someone else can claim you as a dependent, filing requirements depend on your:
You need to file a return if you’re a:
Additional tax filing informationYou must file if any of these conditions apply for 2021:
If you’re due a refund, you don’t have to worry about paying a penalty for filing a late return after the tax deadline. However, if you don’t file a return to claim your refund within three years of your return’s due date, you won’t get your refund. To learn more, see Form 1040. |