2 • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 • CAREGIVER
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SAVVY SENIOR
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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 parttime
job late last year in
2019, so I’m wondering if
I need to file this year.
— Semi-Retired
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 might not have to file. But
if it’s over, you will.
• Single: $12,200
($13,850 if you’re 65 or
older by Jan. 1, 2020).
• Married filing jointly:
$24,400 ($25,700 if you or
your spouse is 65 or older;
or $27,000 if you’re both
older than 65).
• Married filing separately:
$12,200 at any age.
• Head of household: $18,350
($20,000 if age 65 or older).
• Qualifying widow(er) with
dependent child: $24,400 ($25,700
if age 65 or older).
To get a detailed breakdown on
federal filing requirements, along
with information on taxable and
nontaxable income, call the IRS at
800-829-3676 and ask them to mail
you a free copy of the “Tax Guide for
Seniors” (publication 554) or see
IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p554.pdf.
Check here, too
There are, however, some other
financial situations that can require
you to file a tax return, even if your
gross income falls below the IRS
filing requirements.
For example, if you earned more
than $400 from self-employment in
2019, owe any special taxes like an
alternative minimum tax, or get premium
tax credits because you, your
spouse or a dependent is enrolled
in a Health Insurance Marketplace
plan, you’ll need to file.
You’ll also need to file if you’re
receiving Social Security benefits,
and one-half of your benefits plus
your other gross income and any
tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000,
or $32,000 if you’re married and
filing jointly.
To figure all this out, the IRS offers
an interactive tax assistant tool on
their website that asks a series of
questions that will help you determine
if you’re required to file, or if
you should file because you’re due a
refund. It takes less than 15 minutes
to complete.
You can access this tool at IRS.gov/
help/ita — click on “Do I Need to
File a Tax Return?” Or, you can get
assistance over the phone by calling
the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040.
You can get face-to-face help at a
Taxpayer Assistance Center. See IRS.
gov/localcontacts or call 800-829-
1040 to locate a center near you.
Check your state
Even if you’re not required to file
a federal tax return this year, don’t
assume that you’re also excused
from filing state income taxes.
The rules for your state might be
very different. Check with your state
tax agency before concluding that
you’re entirely in the clear.
For links to state tax agencies see
Taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies.
Tax preparation help
If you find that you do need to
file a tax return this year, you can get
help through the Tax Counseling for
the Elderly (or TCE) program.
Sponsored by the IRS, TEC provides
free tax preparation and counseling
to middle- and low-income
taxpayers, age 60 and older.
Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.
treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate a
service near you.
Also check with AARP, a participant
in the TCE program that provides
free tax preparation at more
than 4,800 sites nationwide.
To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site
call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/
findtaxhelp. You don’t have to be an
AARP member to use this service.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy
Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK
73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim
Miller is a contributor to the NBC
Today show and author of “The Savvy
Senior” book.
DO I HAVE TO FILE TAXES THIS YEAR?
Jim Miller