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, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information.
• 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:

Refer to Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information for an explanation of the five exemption tests and filing requirement rules.

If your parent (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent, use this guide to see if you must file a return.
In this guide, unearned income includes taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and capital gain distributions. It also includes unemployment
compensation, taxable social security benefits, pensions, annuities, and distributions of unearned income from a trust. Earned income
includes salaries, wages, tips, professional fees, and taxable scholarship and fellowship grants. Gross income is the total of your unearned
and earned income.
Single dependents. Were you either age 65 or older or blind?
No. You must file a return if any of the following apply.
· Your unearned income was over $950.
· Your earned income was over $5,800.
· Your gross income was more than the larger of—
· $950, or
· Your earned income (up to $5,500) plus $300.
Yes. You must file a return if any of the following apply.
· Your unearned income was over $2,400 ($3,850 if 65 or older and blind).
· Your earned income was over $7,250 ($8,700 if 65 or older and blind).
· Your gross income was more than the larger of—
· $2,400 ($3,850 if 65 or older and blind), or
· Your earned income (up to $5,500) plus $1,750 ($3,200 if 65 or older and blind).
Married dependents. Were you either age 65 or older or blind?
No. You must file a return if any of the following apply.
· Your unearned income was over $950.
· Your earned income was over $5,800.
· Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions.
· Your gross income was more than the larger of—
· $950, or
· Your earned income (up to $5,500) plus $300.
Yes. You must file a return if any of the following apply.
· Your unearned income was over $2,100 ($3,250 if 65 or older and blind).
· Your earned income was over $6,950 ($8,100 if 65 or older and blind).
· Your gross income was at least $5 and your spouse files a separate return and itemizes deductions.
· Your gross income was more than the larger of—
· $2,100 ($3,250 if 65 or older and blind), or
· Your earned income (up to $5,500) plus $1,450 ($2,600 if 65 or older and blind).