The IRS does not have a single minimum income threshold for getting a refund — what matters is whether you earned enough to owe taxes in the first place, and whether you had taxes withheld or paid in.
If you earned less than the standard deduction for your filing status, you typically do not owe federal income tax. But you may still want to file a return, because the IRS may owe you money through refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit. The threshold for filing depends on your age, filing status, and type of income — not on whether you expect a refund.
The standard deduction changes each year. For 2024, a single person under 65 does not owe federal tax on income below $14,600. A married couple filing jointly does not owe tax on income below $29,200. These numbers are higher if you are 65 or older, or if you are blind. Self-employed people have a different threshold: you owe self-employment tax if you earned $400 or more from self-employment, regardless of the standard deduction.
Key Takeaways
- You do not owe federal income tax if your income is below the standard deduction for your filing status, but you may still receive a refund through tax credits.
- The standard deduction for 2024 is $14,600 for single filers under 65 and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly, and these amounts increase each year.
- If you had taxes withheld from paychecks or made estimated tax payments, filing a return is how you recover that money.
- Refundable credits like the EITC can result in a refund even if you owe zero federal income tax.
- Self-employed people must file if they earned $400 or more from self-employment, even if their total income is below the standard deduction.
When you should file even if you earned less than the standard deduction
If you had federal income tax withheld from your paychecks, you should file a return to recover that money. Your employer withholds tax based on the W-4 form you filled out, not on your actual tax liability. If you earned $10,000 and had $1,500 withheld, you owe zero tax — but the IRS owes you a $1,500 refund. The only way to get it is to file.
The same applies if you made estimated tax payments during the year, or if you had taxes withheld from unemployment benefits, Social Security, or a pension. Filing is your receipt for that money.
You should also file if you earned income from self-employment. Even if your net self-employment income is below the standard deduction, you may owe self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare tax), which is separate from income tax. Self-employment tax applies to $400 or more of net self-employment income, regardless of your filing status or age.
Refundable tax credits that can result in a refund with little or no income
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit designed for people with low to moderate income. You can receive a refund through the EITC even if you owe zero federal income tax. In 2024, a single person with no children can claim the EITC if their income is below roughly $17,600. A married couple filing jointly with one child can claim it if their income is below roughly $47,400. The credit amount depends on your income, filing status, and number of may have access to children.
The Child Tax Credit is also refundable up to a limit. If you have dependent children, you may receive a refund even if you owe no tax. The refundable portion is called the Additional Child Tax Credit, and it can be worth up to $1,700 per child in 2024.
Other refundable credits include the American Opportunity Tax Credit (for education expenses) and the Saver's Credit (for retirement contributions). If you think you may may have access to for any of these, filing a return is worth doing even if your income is well below the standard deduction.
How to determine your filing requirement based on income type
Your filing requirement depends partly on whether your income is earned (wages, self-employment) or unearned (interest, dividends, capital gains, Social Security). The standard deduction thresholds are higher for earned income than for unearned income.
If your only income is unearned — for example, interest from a savings account or dividends from investments — you must file if your unearned income exceeds $1,300 in 2024. If you have both earned and unearned income, the rules are more complex, and the IRS worksheet on Form 1040 instructions will walk you through it.
If you received a distribution from a retirement account (IRA, 401(k), etc.), that counts as income for filing purposes, even if you did not need the money. The same is true for distributions from an HSA or education savings account if they were not used for may have access to expenses.
What happens if you do not file but are owed a refund
If you are owed a refund and do not file, the IRS will not send it to you automatically. You have three years from the original tax important date to file and claim a refund. After three years, the money goes to the U.S. Treasury and you lose it.
The IRS does not contact you to tell you that you are owed money. If you had taxes withheld or paid in, and you do not file, that money straightforward disappears. This is why filing is important even if you do not think you owe anything.
Income thresholds for different filing statuses in 2024
| Filing Status | Age | Standard Deduction (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Under 65 | $14,600 |
| Single | 65 or older | $17,550 |
| Married filing jointly | Both under 65 | $29,200 |
| Married filing jointly | One spouse 65 or older | $30,550 |
| Married filing jointly | Both 65 or older | $31,900 |
| Head of household | Under 65 | $21,900 |
| Head of household | 65 or older | $24,850 |
| Married filing separately | Any age | $14,600 |
These amounts increase slightly each year to account for inflation. The IRS publishes updated thresholds in January of each tax year. If you are unsure whether you need to file, use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool on irs.gov, which asks questions about your income and filing status and tells you whether you have a filing requirement.
Self-employment income and the $400 rule
If you earned money from self-employment — freelancing, gig work, a side business, or farming — you must file a tax return if your net self-employment income was $400 or more, even if your total income is below the standard deduction. Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) applies separately from income tax, and you owe it on $400 or more of net earnings.
Net self-employment income means your gross income minus business expenses. If you earned $3,000 from freelance work but spent $2,700 on supplies and equipment, your net income is $300, and you do not owe self-employment tax. But if your net income is $400 or more, you must file.
You will report self-employment income on Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) and calculate self-employment tax on Schedule SE. Even if you owe no income tax because your net income is below the standard deduction, you will owe self-employment tax, and filing is how you pay it and establish your Social Security record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a tax return if I made less than $14,600?
Not necessarily. If you earned less than the standard deduction for your filing status and had no taxes withheld, you do not have a filing requirement. But if you had taxes withheld from paychecks, made estimated payments, or earned self-employment income of $400 or more, you should file to recover withheld money or pay self-employment tax.
Can I get a refund if I did not earn enough to owe taxes?
Yes, through refundable tax credits. The EITC and Child Tax Credit can result in a refund even if your income is below the standard deduction and you owe zero federal income tax. You must file a return to claim these credits.
What if I earned money from a gig app or side job?
If your net self-employment income was $400 or more, you must file a return and pay self-employment tax. This applies even if your total income is below the standard deduction. Keep records of your income and business expenses so you can calculate your net earnings accurately.
How long do I have to file and claim a refund?
You have three years from the original tax important date (usually April 15) to file and claim a refund. If you do not file within three years, the IRS keeps the money. There is no penalty for filing late if you are owed a refund, but you must file to get it.
Does the standard deduction change every year?
Yes. The standard deduction increases each year to account for inflation. The IRS announces the new amounts in January. Check irs.gov or your tax software for the current year's thresholds before you file.