Tax Help Archives  
FAQ 2.1 2005 Tax Year

Filing Requirements: Status, Dependents, Exemptions

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2005 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

How much does a student have to make before he or she has to file an income tax return?

If you are an unmarried dependent, you must file a tax return if your earned and/or unearned income exceeds certain limits. To find these limits refer to Filing Requirements for Dependents in Publication 501 Exemption, Standard Deduction and Filing Information. If part of your earned income is from tips, see Tax Topic 402, Tips .

Even if you do not have to file, you should file a federal income tax return to get money back if any of the following apply:

  1. You had income tax withheld from your pay.
  2. You qualify for the earned income credit.
  3. You qualify for the additional child tax credit.
Refer to Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information, for an explanation of the five exemption tests and filing requirement rules.

For additional information see Tax Information for Students


Previous | FAQ Index | Next

Tax Topics Index | FAQs Index

2005 Tax Help Archives | Tax Help Archives Main | Home