{"id":137,"date":"2011-12-14T18:51:05","date_gmt":"2011-12-14T13:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nsglobal.com\/blog\/?p=137"},"modified":"2011-12-27T17:27:48","modified_gmt":"2011-12-27T11:57:48","slug":"filing-individual-tax-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nsglobal.com\/blog\/?p=137","title":{"rendered":"Who must file a US Individual Tax return?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are often asked as to who must file an Individual Tax Return in US.<\/p>\n

Generally, all US Citizens and resident aliens (refer to our blog in October 2011 as to who is regarded as resident alien) are liable for federal income tax on their world wide income, without regard to whether the income arose from sources within or outside of United States. For each tax year, a return must be filed by them who has at least a specified minimum amount of gross income<\/strong><\/span><\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The filing threshold for most individuals is the sum of the applicable exemption amount plus<\/strong><\/span><\/em> the applicable standard deduction amount for the tax year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Generally, the gross income<\/strong><\/span><\/em> levels at which individuals must file income tax returns for 2011 are:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If the applicable gross income test is met<\/strong><\/span><\/em>, then a return must be filed even though the individuals exemptions and deductions are such that no tax is due.<\/p>\n

If the applicable gross income test is not met<\/strong><\/span><\/em>, then a return is required to filed whenever a refund of tax or refundable credit such as earned income credit is available.<\/p>\n

A return is also required to be filed if:<\/p>\n

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  1. Net earnings<\/strong><\/span><\/em> from self-employment are at least $400.<\/li>\n
  2. Liability for Alternative Minimum tax is incurred, etc.<\/li>\n
  3. You received advance earned income credit payments from your employer. These payments are shown in Form W-2, box 9<\/li>\n
  4. Recapture of first time home buyers tax credit.<\/li>\n
  5. Social security and Medicare tax on tips you did not report to your employer or on wages you received from an employer who did not withhold these taxes. etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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