If you earn zero income this year, you don't have to file a tax return. Even if you have some money coming in, the IRS has a minimum income level for submitting your ; below the cutoff point, you don't have to file. The cutoff varies with your age and your filing status.

Like most figures in the tax code, the cutoff point rises over time to allow for inflation.

The rules change if you receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits. When Social Security is your entire income, you usually pay nothing.

If you have other taxable income, add it to half your Social Security benefits. Then add any tax-exempt interest you received this year. For married couples filing separately, getting any taxable income makes benefits taxable.

Even if you don't earn enough to pay income tax, your employer has to take withholding out for Social Security and Medicare. If you earn tip income you don't report to your employer, you have to report it yourself at the end of the year and pay the taxes, even if you pay no income tax. Your employer may have taken out income tax withholding from your paycheck, thinking your annual income would be higher. Even if your income fell below the cutoff, you need to file if you want the IRS to cut you a refund check.

How Much Can I Make Before I Have to Pay Income Taxes on My Social Security Benefits? | Finance - Zacks

You also need to file to qualify for any of the tax credits that pay you back more than you paid in. The Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit fall into this category. Author of two film reference books, "Cyborgs, Santa Claus and Satan" and "The Wizard of Oz Catalog.

Income Like most figures in the tax code, the cutoff point rises over time to allow for inflation. Social Security Benefits The rules change if you receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits. Social Security Taxes Even if you don't earn enough to pay income tax, your employer has to take withholding out for Social Security and Medicare.

How much can I earn before I have to pay? | gepahotalefi.web.fc2.com

Refunds Your employer may have taken out income tax withholding from your paycheck, thinking your annual income would be higher. References Internal Revenue Service: Your Federal Income Tax efile: Do I Need to File a Tax Return?

Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits IRS: Do I Have to File a Tax Return? Who Has to File Taxes?

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