Do I have to file my taxes?

People Pointing at Taxes in Harrison, MI

Do I have to file?  That is one of the most frequently asked questions we get here in Harrison, MI.

Here is a quick guide for most people for the 2018 filing season.

Filing Status-Threshold of Gross Income

  • Single-$12,000.00
  • Single, 65 or older-$13,600.00
  • Married Filing Separately-$5.00
  • Married Filing Jointly-$24,000.00
  • Married Filing Jointly, one spouse 65 or older-$25,300.00
  • Married Filing Jointly, both spouses 65 or older-$26,600.00
  • Head of Household-18,000.00
  • Head of Household, 65 or older-$19,600.00
  • Qualifying Widow(er) (surviving spouse)-$24,000.00
  • Qualifying Widow(er) (surviving spouse), 65 or older-$25,300.00

One of the factors in the list is gross income. 

Gross income:  This includes all income you receive in the form of money, goods,property, and services that isn’t exempt from tax. It also includes income from sources outside the United States or from the sale of your main home (even if you can exclude all or part of it). Include part of your social security benefits if:

1. You were married, filing a separate return, and you lived with your spouse at any time during 2018; or

2. Half of your social security benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest is more than $25,000 ($32,000 if married filing jointly). If either (1) or (2) applies, see the instructions for Form 1040 or 1040A, or Pub. 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits, to figure the social security benefits you must include in gross income.

We’ll discuss filing status in our next post.

If you have any questions, please give us a call 989-859-0346 or email taxes@micottagellc.com. We would love to talk with you!

Contact Us