Since tax season for the year 2025 is on the horizon, taxpayers need to know the income amounts that determine reporting a federal income tax return as well as relevant tax brackets. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) established certain guidelines based on filing status, age, and source of income for compliance as well as to report taxes correctly.
Who must file a tax return?
A majority of US citizens and residents with earnings are required to file a federal tax return if their gross income is over designated amounts. The amounts vary according to filing status and age.
If you were under 65 at the end of 2024
| If your filing status is: | File a tax return if your gross income is: |
| Single | $14,600 or more |
| Head of household | $21,900 or more |
| Married filing jointly | $29,200 or more (both spouses under 65)$30,750 or more (one spouse under 65) |
| Married filing separately | $5 or more |
| Qualifying surviving spouse | $29,200 or more |
If you were 65 or older at the end of 2024
| If your filing status is: | File a tax return if your gross income is: |
| Single | $16,550 or more |
| Head of household | $21,900 or more |
| Married filing jointly | $30,750 or more (one spouse under 65)$32,300 or more (both spouses 65 or older) |
| Married filing separately | $5 or more |
| Qualifying surviving spouse | $30,750 or more |
These amounts are changed for inflation each year.
Special requirements for dependents
Dependents, such as children or other individuals who are claimed on someone’s tax return, have special filing requirements:
- Earned income only: Dependents must file if earned income is more than $14,600.
- Only unearned income: Report if unearned income (like interest, dividends) is over $1,300.
- Both earned and unearned income: Report if overall income is over the higher of $1,300 or earned income (up to $14,150) and $450.
Incomes for blind dependents are a bit greater.
Self-employment and gig workers
The workers engaging in self-employment or other gig work- including freelancers, independent contractors, and players in the gig economy- are governed by distinct filing requirements
Net earnings of $400 or more: Report a return on any age or other income.
This stops self-employed earners from avoiding social security and medicare tax income on both halves- the employer and employee sides.
2024 federal income tax brackets
Federal income tax is progressive, i.e., the tax rate increases with higher income. Tax brackets for the 2024 filing year are:
- 10% tax rate:
Single Filers: $11,000
Married Filing Jointly: $22,000
- 12% tax rate:
Single filers: $11,001 to $44,725
Married filing jointly: $22,001 to $89,450
- 22% tax rate:
Single filers: $44,726 to $95,375
Married filing jointly: $89,451 to $190,750
- 24% tax rate:
Single filers: $95,376 to $182,100
Married filing jointly: $190,751 to $364,200
- 32% tax rate:
Single filing: $182,101 to $231,250
Married filing jointly: $364,201 to $462,500
- 35% tax rate:
Single filers: $231,251 to $609,350
Married filing jointly: $462,501 to $731,200
- 37% tax rate:
Single filing: Over $609,350
Married filing jointly: Over $731,200
These brackets are also adjusted for inflation each year and so there will be no “bracket creep,” with taxpayers creeping up into higher brackets due to cost-of-living wage increases rather than actual increases in income.
Standard deductions 2024
The standard deduction reduces the level of income that will be subject to federal taxes. The standard deductions for the 2024 tax year are:
- Single filers: $14,600
- Married filing jointly: $29,200
- Head of Household: $21,900
These deductions also adjust every year to keep up with inflation
