Check if you need to file a tax return

Most U.S. citizens or permanent residents who work in the U.S. have to file a tax return.

Generally, you need to file if:

Income amount that requires you to file

If you were under 65 at the end of 2023

You may want to file a return even if you made less to get a refund of taxes your employer withheld from your pay.

If you were 65 or older at the end of 2023

$29,200 or more (one spouse under 65)
$30,700 or more (both spouses 65 or older)

Dependents

Use this table if your parent or someone else can claim you as a dependent:

Earned income: Salaries, wages, tips, professional fees, and taxable scholarship and fellowship grants.

Unearned income: Taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and capital gain distributions, unemployment compensation, taxable Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities and distributions of unearned income from a trust.

Gross income: Earned plus unearned income.

Dependents who are blind:

Use this table if your parent or someone else can claim you as a dependent and you’re blind.

If you’re still not sure if you need to file

File even if you don’t have to

Even if you make less than the income that requires you to file, consider filing anyway. You may get money back.