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jheidel · Feb 7, 2008, 07:52 AM

I babysit for a friend, it is my only income, and not much at that. What is the minimum amount I can make without filing taxes?

excon · Feb 7, 2008, 08:14 AM

Hello j:

It's like $8,700 or thereabouts.

If you friend withholds any taxes from your paycheck, then the only way you can get it back is to file. But, like most people, she probably doesn't do that..

excon

IntlTax · Feb 7, 2008, 11:24 AM

If you are claimed as a dependent on another's tax return, then the filing threshold is lower.

ebaines · Feb 7, 2008, 12:27 PM

I think you mean to ask what is the maximum amount you can make without filing taxes.

If no one is claiming you as a dependent, then you need not file if your income is less than $8750 (assuming you are single).

However, if you are being claimed as as a dependent by someone else, such as your parents, it all depends on factors such as how much unearned income you may have. If you have no unearned income at all (no interest or dividends), then the threshold is $5350. If you do have unearned income, the threshold can be as low as $850 - it all depends on how much earned and unearned income you have. Here's a web site that walks you through the various conditions that affects whether you need to file or not:

Do You Need to File a Federal Income Tax Return?

kellyklan6 · Jan 19, 2012, 11:49 AM

What about if you are married and have 4 kids?

excon · Jan 19, 2012, 11:57 AM

Hello k:

Whether you need to file or not has to do with your INCOME, not your family status.

excon

ebaines · Jan 19, 2012, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by kellyklan6

What about if you are married and have 4 kids?

You must file if any of the following are true:

1. Your gross income is greater than $19K and you are not claimed as a dependent by someone else. (If you are a dependent post back and I'll go into more detail).
2. If one spouse files as married filing separately the other spouse must file if his/her income is greater than $3700.
3. If you owe taxes on IRA, 401(k), or health savings account
4. If you have owe social security or medicare tax on income not reported to your employer (for example on tips), or wages from an employer where these taxes were not withheld
5. If you owe any household employment taxes
6. You had self-employment earnings of at least $400
7. You had wages of $108.28 or more from a church that is exempt from social security and medicare taxes.

ladonna_jones · Apr 19, 2012, 09:03 PM

#1 if an adult is filed by a grown child and the mother made 5000 yr babysitting, would her income be included with her son?

taxesforaliens · Apr 20, 2012, 05:38 AM

Ladonna_jones:
If I understand you correctly, your son is claiming you as a dependent? He cannot do that as you earned more than $3700. You have to file your own return and cannot be claimed as dependent. Even if you would qualify to be a dependent, he would not include your income on his return, you would still have to file your own.

julane · Jan 6, 2013, 03:40 PM

I am divorced, making a little over $2000 from unemployment. However, unemployment was not deducting taxes. Do I need to file?

AtlantaTaxExpert · Jan 7, 2013, 10:32 AM

If the $2,000 was your ONLY source of taxable income, then you have NO legal requirement to file a federal income tax return.

State return is a different matter. It depends on the state.

Cryslarry · Jan 28, 2013, 10:33 AM

I am filing married & joint return. My gross alone was $3589 last year. Do I have to file on me?

AtlantaTaxExpert · Jan 28, 2013, 10:52 AM

You have no legal requirement to file, because your income is BELOW the personal exemption of $3,800.

However, if you had federal taxes withheld, you may want to file to get those withheld taxes back.