What to do About Unfiled Tax Returns

This page has been updated for 2022 tax return guidelines.

Did you fail to file your tax return this year? You’re not alone. Over 175 million individuals did not file a tax return this year alone. While many of these individuals fall under an exemption, many more simply failed to file for other reasons. Requirements to a tax return are as follows:

If your filing status is	AND at the end of 2020	THEN file a return if your gross income was at least…**
Single	Under 65	$12,950
Single	65 or older	$14,700
Married filing jointly	Under 65 (both spouses)	$25,900
	65 or older (one spouse)	$27,300
	65 or older (both spouses)	$28,700
Married filing separately	Any age	$5
Head of household	Under 65	$19,400
Head of household	65 or older $21,150
Qualifying surviving spouse	Under 65	$25,900
Qualifying surviving spouse	65 or older	$27,300

If someone can claim you as a dependent, the eligibility rules change even more.

Filing status	Were you either 65 or older or blind?
Single dependents	NO – You must file if any of the following apply. Your unearned income was over $1,150. Your earned income was over $12,950. Your gross income was more than the larger of— $1,150 or Your earned income (up to $12,550) plus $400.
Single dependents	YES – You must file a return if any of the following apply. Your unearned income was over $2,900 ($4,650 if 65 or older and blind). Your earned income was over $14,700 $14,700 ($16,450 if 65 or older and blind). Your gross income was more than the larger of— $2,900 ($4,650 if 65 or older and blind), or Your earned income (up to $12,550) plus $2,150 ($3,900 if 65 or older and blind).
Married dependents	NO – You must file a return if any of the following apply. Your unearned income was over $1,150. Your earned income was over $12,950. • Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions. Your gross income was more than the larger of— $1,150, or Your earned income (up to $12,550) plus $400.
Married dependents	YES – You must file a return if any of the following apply. Your unearned income was over $2,550 ($3,950 if 65 or older and blind). Your earned income was over $14,350 ($15,750 if 65 or older and blind). Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions. Your gross income was more than the larger of— $2,550 ($3,950 if 65 or older and blind), or Your earned income (up to $12,550) plus $1,800 ($3,200 if 65 or older and blind).

There are many more tax situations that will require someone to file a tax return not covered here. Even if you chose not to file a tax return or you do not have to file, you may want to consider doing so anyway. If you qualify for any of the tax credits that the IRS offers, you may receive a tax refund. However, you will receive no refund at all if you do not file, even if you are not required to.

What about those that fail to file even when they are legally required to? If you fail to file for even one year and you are required to do so, the IRS can file for you by using what is called a Substitute for Return. While this may seem like an easy way out of filing, the IRS will file a basic form for you that will likely not provide any form of a tax credit, exemptions, or deductions you may qualify for. This often causes the individual to gain a tax debt. The more years you fail to file, the more a tax debt will grow, and Failure to File penalties and interest will quickly accrue into the thousands of dollars. Any refunds you may be due will be withheld and you may not be qualified for a loan approval for any reason in the future, because copied of recent tax returns are required for gaining a loan approval.

If you are one of these individuals that, for whatever reason, has failed to file: don’t despair. At Justice Tax, LLC, we specialize in assisting consumers with tax debt resolutions, unfiled tax returns, and more. We offer an absolutely free, zero-obligation consultation to discuss with you your tax concern and help work out a plan to resolve it. Give us a call at 888-545-6007 to speak with one of our experienced Senior Tax Consultants, and we will help you gain the peace of mind you deserve.

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