Site icon Justice Tax, LLC

What to do About Unfiled Tax Returns

justtax19

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 
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 
65 or older $21,150   
Qualifying surviving spouse  Under 65  $25,900 
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. 
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. 

 
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. 

Fill out the form for a free and confidential consultation.

    By clicking GET TAX HELP, I have read and accept by my electronic signature herein the products or services offered by Justice Tax, LLC or its affiliates for tax resolution services, and do hereby give express consent and agree to be contacted by email, SMS/Text or other electronic format by live agent, artificial or prerecorded voice, email and/or SMS text message at my residential or cellular number, dialed manually or by auto dialer at the number(s) provided for tax resolution products and services offered by Justice Tax, LLC or its affiliates. I acknowledge and understand that consent to be contacted is not a condition to purchase products and/or services offered and I further acknowledge and agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use attached hereto.

    Exit mobile version