Amount and source of income determine whether seniors have to file income taxes

By Jim Miller, Special to the Star-Advertiser

Dear Savvy Senior: What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for seniors this year? I didn’t file a tax return last year because my 2018 income was below the filing requirements, but I got a part-time job late last year, so I’m wondering whether I need to file this year. — Semiretired

Dear Semi: Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year depends not only on how much you earned last year (in 2019), but also the source of that income, as well as your age and your filing status.

Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. For most people this is pretty straightforward. If your 2019 gross income — which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately — was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you may not have to file. But if it’s over, you will.

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