| Tax rate | Single | Married, filing jointly | Married, filing separately | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $9,875 | $0 to $19,750 | $0 to $9,875 | $0 to $14,100 |
| 12% | $9,876 to $40,125 | $19,751 to $80,250 | $9,876 to $40,125 | $14,101 to $53,700 |
| 22% | $40,126 to $85,525 | $80,251 to $171,050 | $40,126 to $85,525 | $53,701 to $85,500 |
| 24% | $85,526 to $163,300 | $171,051 to $326,600 | $85,526 to $163,300 | $85,501 to $163,300 |
| 32% | $163,301 to $207,350 | $326,601 to $414,700 | $163,301 to $207,350 | $163,301 to $207,350 |
| 35% | $207,351 to $518,400 | $414,701 to $622,050 | $207,351 to $311,025 | $207,351 to $518,400 |
| 37% | $518,401 or more | $622,051 or more | $311,026 or more | $518,401 or more |
| Source: | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
Being “in” a tax bracket doesn’t mean you pay that federal income tax rate on everything you make.
Let’s say you’re a single filer with $50,000 of taxable income, you’d pay 10% (or $970)on that first $9,700 and 12% (or $3,573) on the chunk of income between $9,701 and $39,475. And then you’d pay 22% (or $2,316) on the rest, because some of your $50,000 of taxable income falls into the 22% tax bracket. The total bill would be about $6,859 — about 14% of your taxable income, even though you’re in the 22% bracket.
o Itemized Deduction, Capital Gains, Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Side Business, Home-based Business, Rental Income from Residential Property,
o American Opportunity Tax Credit, and Life Time Learning Tax Credit (Education Expenses).
The minimum income amount depends on your filing status and age. In 2019, for example, the minimum for single filing status, if under age 65, is $12,200. If your income is below that threshold, you generally do not need to file a federal tax return. Review the full list below for other filing statuses and ages.
o $12,400 if under age 65
o $14,050 if age 65 or older
o $24,800 if both spouses under age 65
o $26,100 if one spouse under age 65 and one age 65 or older
o $27,400 if both spouses age 65 or older
o $18,650 if under age 65
o $20,300 if age 65 or older
o $24,800 if under age 65
o $26,100 if age 65 or older
o $5 for all ages
You might also be required to file for other reasons, such as if you're self-employed or paid on a 1099-MISC form, or bought health insurance from a state or federal marketplace. If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, separate filing thresholds apply. Please see IRS Publication 501 for additional information.
Although your income may be below the minimum income to file taxes, as shown above, you may not have to file taxes, but there may be times when you want to file a return.
o Click here to track your federal refund.
o Click here to track your amended federal refund.
