Do people over 90 have to file income tax?
Some seniors must pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits, depending on their income and filing status. If you have a source of income that is substantially more than what you receive from your Social Security benefits, you will pay federal income taxes on up to 85% of your benefits.
In reality, Social Security is taxed at any age if your income exceeds a certain level. Essentially, if your taxable income is greater than the Standard Deduction for your filing status, you'll typically have to file a tax return.
At What Age Can You Stop Filing Taxes? Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. People who are 65 or older at the end of 2024 have to file a return for tax year 2024 (which is due in 2025) if their gross income is $16,550 or higher.
So, if your income is less than the Standard Deduction, and you don't have other income to report, you won't need to file a tax return. An example of income that you would need to report, regardless of the amount, is self-employment income.
While this doesn't apply to every senior, many will qualify. Seniors who are over the age of 65, unmarried, and made less than $16,550 in nonexempt income (excluding Social Security benefits) are generally not required to file a federal tax return.
| If your filing status is: | File a tax return if your gross income is: |
|---|---|
| Single | $16,550 or more |
| Head of household | $23,850 or more |
| Married filing jointly | $30,750 or more (one spouse under 65) $32,300 or more (both spouses 65 or older) |
| Married filing separately | $5 or more |
The minimum income amount depends on your filing status and age. In 2024, for example, the minimum for Single filing status if under age 65 is $14,600 . If your income is below that threshold, you generally do not need to file a federal tax return.
If Social Security is your sole source of income, then you don't need to file a tax return. However, if you have other income, you may be required to file a tax return depending on the amount of other income. Here are the guidelines.
At what age is Social Security no longer taxable? Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.
The IRS defines a dependent as a qualifying child (under age 19 or under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently and totally disabled) or a qualifying relative. A qualifying dependent cannot provide more than half of their own annual support.
Does Social Security count as income?
You report the taxable portion of your Social Security benefits on line 6b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) one-half of your benefits, plus (2) all of your other income, including tax-exempt interest, is greater than the base amount for your filing status.
You generally don't have to pay taxes if your income is less than the standard deduction or the total of your itemized deductions, if you have a certain number of dependents, if you work abroad and are below the required thresholds, or if you're a qualifying non-profit organization.
You risk losing your refund if you don't file your return. If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within 3 years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.
For 2021, single taxpayers are required to file a tax return if their gross income is $12,550 or more; however, single taxpayers 65 or older are not required to file unless their gross income is $14,250 or more.
Some seniors must pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits, depending on their income and filing status. If you have a source of income that is substantially more than what you receive from your Social Security benefits, you will pay federal income taxes on up to 85% of your benefits.
Generally, if Social Security benefits were your only income, your benefits are not taxable and you probably do not need to file a federal income tax return.
You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.
- Are required to file a federal return.
- Receive income from a source in California.
- Have income above a certain amount.
If your total income is: Below the base amount, your Social Security benefits are not taxable. Between the base and maximum amount, your Social Security income is taxable up to 50%. Above the maximum amount, your Social Security benefits are taxable up to 85%.
Form 1040-SR is an alternative version of the 1040 form that features a larger print and an easy-to-read standard deduction table. Form 1040-SR can be used by seniors 65 and older filing a paper return. Other than these accommodations, it functions the same as the standard 1040 form.
Is there any reason not to file taxes?
You may not have to file a federal income tax return if your income is below a certain amount. Taxable income not only includes earnings from your job but can also include retirement and disability benefits.
Bottom Line. Yes, Social Security is taxed federally after the age of 70. If you get a Social Security check, it will always be part of your taxable income, regardless of your age. There is some variation at the state level, though, so make sure to check the laws for the state where you live.
| Filing Status | Taxpayer age at the end of 2022 | A taxpayer must file a return if their gross income was at least: |
|---|---|---|
| single | under 65 | $12,950 |
| single | 65 or older | $14,700 |
| head of household | under 65 | $19,400 |
| head of household | 65 or older | $21,150 |
For single filers and heads of households age 65 and over, the additional standard deduction increases slightly — from $1,950 in 2024 (returns you'll file soon in early 2025) to $2,000 in 2025 (returns you'll file in early 2026). For 2025, married couples over 65 filing jointly will also see a modest benefit.
Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.
