Members of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants are answering readers' tax questions through April 15. See below for how to submit a question.
How much income can I have before I have to file a tax return? I am a single.
A single person under the age of 65 and who is not a dependent of another taxpayer does not need to file an income tax return until income exceeds $6,950. If the taxpayer is over 65, he or she does not need to file an income tax return until income exceeds $8,000.
If the taxpayer is a dependent of another taxpayer (such as a child), he or she must file a return if his or her unearned income (such as interest and dividends) is in excess of $700 or if earned income exceeds $4,250. If a taxpayer had taxes withheld, but has income less than filing requirements, a tax return must be filed to get a refund.
The requirements of the state of Maryland generally follow the federal requirements above. If a taxpayer is not required to a federal return, he or she will, generally, not be required to file a state return. The $6,950 gross income requirement for filing a state return is applicable even if the taxpayer is a dependent of another taxpayer. Maryland gross income is basically a person's federal gross income, less any federally taxable Social Security benefits plus the Maryland additions to federal gross income. Only taxpayers who are dependents of another (usually children) can deduct Maryland subtractions to determine Maryland gross income.
Sheldon J. Berman, CPA, Rosen, Sapperstein & Friedlander
The above advice is for general purposes only and is not intended as legal, accounting or tax advice. Specific situations may vary.
To ask a tax question, call Sundial, The Sun's telephone information service, at 410-783-1800. Call 410-268-7736 in Anne Arundel County, 410-836-5028 in Harford County, 410-848-0338 in Carroll County. Using a Touch-Tone phone, punch in the four-digit code 6225 after the greeting. To submit questions by e-mail and access an online tax guide, go to The Sun's Web site at www.sunspot.net/tax.
Selected questions will be answered in the Business section. No questions will be answered personally.
Pub Date: 3/19/99