26 U.S. Code § 6012 - Persons required to make returns of income

(a) General rule Returns with respect to income taxes under subtitle A shall be made by the following:

who is not married (determined by applying section 7703), is not a surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)), is not a head of a household (as defined in section 2(b)), and for the taxable year has gross income of less than the sum of the basic standard deduction applicable to such an individual,

who is a head of a household (as so defined) and for the taxable year has gross income of less than the sum of the basic standard deduction applicable to such an individual,

who is a surviving spouse (as so defined) and for the taxable year has gross income of less than the sum of the basic standard deduction applicable to such an individual, or

who is entitled to make a joint return and whose gross income, when combined with the gross income of his spouse, is, for the taxable year, less than the sum of twice the basic standard deduction applicable to a joint return, but only if such individual and his spouse, at the close of the taxable year, had the same household as their home.

Clause (iv) shall not apply if for the taxable year such spouse makes a separate return or any other taxpayer is entitled to an exemption for such spouse under section 151(c).

The amount specified in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be increased by the amount of 1 additional standard deduction (within the meaning of section 63(c)(3)) in the case of an individual entitled to such deduction by reason of section 63(f)(1)(A) (relating to individuals age 65 or more), and the amount specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (A) shall be increased by the amount of the additional standard deduction for each additional standard deduction to which the individual or his spouse is entitled by reason of section 63(f)(1).

income (other than earned income) in excess of the sum of the amount in effect under section 63(c)(5)(A) plus the (II)

The terms “standard deduction”, “basic standard deduction” and “additional standard deduction” have the respective meanings given such terms by section 63(c).

Every trust having for the taxable year any taxable income, or having gross income of $600 or over, regardless of the amount of taxable income;

Every political organization (within the meaning of section 527(e)(1)), and every fund treated under section 527(g) as if it constituted a political organization, which has political organization taxable income (within the meaning of section 527(c)(1)) for the taxable year;

Every homeowners association (within the meaning of section 528(c)(1)) which has homeowners association taxable income (within the meaning of section 528(d)) for the taxable year; and

If an individual is deceased, the return of such individual required under subsection (a) shall be made by his executor, administrator, or other person charged with the property of such decedent.

If an individual is unable to make a return required under subsection (a), the return of such individual shall be made by a duly authorized agent, his committee, guardian, fiduciary or other person charged with the care of the person or property of such individual. The preceding sentence shall not apply in the case of a receiver appointed by authority of law in possession of only a part of the property of an individual.

In a case where a receiver, trustee in a case under title 11 of the United States Code, or assignee, by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, by operation of law or otherwise, has possession of or holds title to all or substantially all the property or business of a corporation, whether or not such property or business is being operated, such receiver, trustee, or assignee shall make the return of income for such corporation in the same manner and form as corporations are required to make such returns.

Returns of an estate, a trust, or an estate of an individual under chapter 7 or 11 of title 11 of the United States Code shall be made by the fiduciary thereof.

Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, a return made by one of two or more joint fiduciaries shall be sufficient compliance with the requirements of this section. A return made pursuant to this paragraph shall contain a statement that the fiduciary has sufficient knowledge of the affairs of the person for whom the return is made to enable him to make the return, and that the return is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, true and correct.

In the case of a trust which is exempt from taxation under section 408(e), for purposes of this section, the trust’s distributive share of items of gross income and gain of any partnership to which subchapter C or D of chapter 63 applies shall be treated as equal to the trust’s distributive share of the taxable income of such partnership.

For purposes of this section, gross income shall be computed without regard to the exclusion provided for in section 121 (relating to gain from sale of principal residence) and without regard to the exclusion provided for in section 911 (relating to citizens or residents of the United States living abroad).

Every person required to file a return under this section for the taxable year shall include on such return the amount of interest received or accrued during the taxable year which is exempt from the tax imposed by chapter 1.

For provisions relating to consolidated returns by affiliated corporations, see chapter 6.

(f) Special rule for taxable years 2018 through 2025 In the case of a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017 , and before January 1, 2026 , subsection (a)(1) shall not apply, and every individual who has gross income for the taxable year shall be required to make returns with respect to income taxes under subtitle A, except that a return shall not be required of—

an individual who is not married (determined by applying section 7703) and who has gross income for the taxable year which does not exceed the standard deduction applicable to such individual for such taxable year under section 63, or

the gross income of such individual, when combined with the gross income of such individual’s spouse, for the taxable year does not exceed the standard deduction which would be applicable to the taxpayer for such taxable year under section 63 if such individual and such individual’s spouse made a joint return,

such individual and such individual’s spouse have the same household as their home at the close of the taxable year,

neither such individual nor such individual’s spouse is an individual described in section 63(c)(5) who has income (other than earned income) in excess of the amount in effect under section 63(c)(5)(A).

2018—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(255), struck out “and” after “year;”.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(256), substituted “year; and” for “year.”

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(257), substituted “section 63(c)(2)(C);” for “section 63(c)(2)(D).”

2017—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–97 added subsec. (f).

2010—Subsec. (a)(8), (9). Pub. L. 111–226 redesignated par. (9) as (8) and struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: “Every individual who receives payments during the calendar year in which the taxable year begins under section 3507 (relating to advance payment of earned income credit).”

2002—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 107–276 struck out “or which has gross receipts of $25,000 or more for the taxable year (other than an organization to which section 527 applies solely by reason of subsection (f)(1) of such section)” after “(within the meaning of section 527(c)(1)) for the taxable year”.

2000—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 106–230 inserted “or which has gross receipts of $25,000 or more for the taxable year (other than an organization to which section 527 applies solely by reason of subsection (f)(1) of such section)” after “taxable year”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–34, § 312(d)(11), substituted “(relating to gain from sale of principal residence)” for “(relating to one-time exclusion of gain from sale of principal residence by individual who has attained age 55)”.

1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(i). Pub. L. 100–647 amended subcl. (I) generally, substituting “the sum of the amount in effect under section 63(c)(5)(A) plus thePub. L. 99–514, § 104(a)(1)(A), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows:

“(1)(A) Every individual having for the taxable year a gross income of the section 443(a)(1) for a period of less than 12 months on account of a change in his annual accounting period;

“(iv) an individual who has income (other than earned income) of the Pub. L. 99–514, § 104(a)(1)(B), substituted “not less than the sum of thePub. L. 99–514, § 1525(a), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).

1984—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 98–369 struck out “or section 6015(a)” after “subsection (a)”.

1981—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97–34, § 104(d)(1)(D), substituted “thePub. L. 97–34, § 111(b)(3), substituted “relating to citizens or residents of the United States living abroad” for “relating to income earned by employees in certain camps”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 96–589, § 6(i)(5), substituted “trustee in a case under title 11 of the United States Code” for “trustee in bankruptcy”.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 96–589, § 3(b)(2), inserted reference to estate of an individual under chapter 7 or 11 of title 11 of the United States Code.

1978—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 95–600, §§ 101(c), 102(b)(1), substituted in provision preceding cl. (i), “$1,000” for “$750”, in cl. (i), “$3,050” for “$2,950” and “$3,300” for “$3,050”, in cl. (ii), “$4,150” for “$3,950” and “$4,400” for “$4,150”, and in cl. (iii), “$4,900” for “$4,700” and “$5,400” for “$4,900”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–615 substituted “(relating to income earned by employees in certain camps)” for “(relating to earned income from sources without the United States)”.

Pub. L. 95–600, § 404(c)(8), inserted provisions relating to a one-time exclusion and principal residence, and substituted “55” for “65”.

1977—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 95–30 substituted “(other than an individual described in subparagraph (C))” for “(other than an individual referred to in section 142(b))” in provisions preceding cl. (i), “$2,950” for “$2,450” in cl. (i), “$3,950” for “$2,850” in cl. (ii), and “$4,700” for “$3,600” in cl. (iii).

Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 95–30 reenacted subpar. (B) without change.

Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 95–30 substituted provisions that the exception under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a nonresident alien individual, a citizen of the United States entitled to the benefits of section 931, an individual making a return under section 443(a)(1) for a period of less than 12 months on account of a change in his annual accounting period, an individual who has income (other than earned income) of $750 or more and who is described in section 63(e)(1)(D), or an estate or trust, for provisions requiring that a return with respect to income taxes under subtitle A be made by every individual having for the taxable year a gross income of $750 or more and to whom section 141(e) (relating to limitations in case of certain dependent taxpayers) applied.

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out in provisions following par. (7) “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A), (B). Pub. L. 94–455, § 401(b)(3), reenacted subpars. (A) and (B) without change.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

1975—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 94–164 substituted “$2,450” for “$2,350” in cl. (i), “$2,850” for “$2,650” in cl. (ii), and “$3,600” for “$3,400” in cl. (iii).

Pub. L. 94–12 substituted “(determined by applying section 143), is not a surviving spouse (as defined in section 2(a)), and for the taxable year has a gross income of less than $2,350” for “determined by applying section 143(a)) and for the taxable year has a gross income of less than $2,050, or” in cl. (i), added cl. (ii), redesignated existing cl. (ii) as (iii), in cl. (iii) as so redesignated substituted “$3,400” for “$2,800”, and in provisions following cl. (iii) substituted “Clause (iii)” for “Clause (ii)”.

Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 94–12 substituted “The amount specified in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be increased by $750” for “The $2,050 amount specified in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be increased to $2,800” and “the amount specified in clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be increased by $750” for “the $2,800 amount specified in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be increased by $750”.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 93–625 added par. (6) and struck out provision that Secretary or his delegate shall, by regulation, exempt from requirement of making returns under this section any political committee (as defined in section 301(d) of Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971) having no gross income for taxable year.

1974—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–443 provided for exemption from tax returns requirement of political committees having no gross income for taxable year.

1971—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 92–178 substituted “$750” for “$600” in subpars. (A) and (B); “$2,050” for “1,700” in subpars. (A)(i) and (B); and “2,800” for “2,300” in subpars. (A)(ii) and (B), twice; and added subpar. (C), respectively.

1969—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 91–172, § 941(a), (d), struck out after “$600 or more”, “(except that any individual who has attained the age of 65 before the close of his taxable year shall be required to make a return only if he has for the taxable year a gross income of $1,200 or more)”, designated remaining introductory text as subpar. (A), inserted remainder of subpars. (A) and (B), applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1969 ; and substituted “$750”, “$1,750”, and “$2,500” for “$600”, “$1,700”, and “$2,300” wherever appearing, effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1972 .

1964—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 88–272 inserted provisions relating to sale of residence.

1958—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 85–866 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017 , see section 11041(f)(1) of Pub. L. 115–97, set out as a note under section 151 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–226 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2010 , see section 219(c) of Pub. L. 111–226, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6033 and 6104 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by Public Law 106–230.”

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6033, 6104, and 6652 of this title] shall apply to returns for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2000 .”

Amendment by section 312(d)(11) of Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to sales and exchanges after May 6, 1997 , with certain exceptions, see section 312(d)[(e)] of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 121 of this title.

Amendment by section 1225 of Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to partnership taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1997 , see section 1226 of Pub. L. 105–34, as amended, set out as a note under section 6011 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 104(a)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986 , see section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986 .”

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1984 , see section 414(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 6654 of this title.

Amendment by section 104(d)(1) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1984 , see section 104(e) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 111(b)(3) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1981 , see section 115 of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 911 of this title.

Amendment by section 6(i)(5) of Pub. L. 96–589 effective Oct. 1, 1979 , but not applicable to proceedings under title 11 commenced before Oct. 1, 1979 , and amendment by section 3(b) of Pub. L. 96–589 applicable to bankruptcy cases commencing more than 90 days after Dec. 24, 1980 , see section 7(b), (e) of Pub. L. 96–589, set out as a note under section 108 of this title.

Amendment by section 101(c) of Pub. L. 95–600 effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1978 , see section 101(f)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 102(b)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600 effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1978 , see section 102(d)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 151 of this title.

Amendment by section 105(d) of Pub. L. 95–600 effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1978 , see section 105(g)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.

Amendment by section 404(c)(8) of Pub. L. 95–600 applicable to sales or exchanges after July 26, 1978 , in taxable years ending after such date, see section 404(d)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note under section 121 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–615 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1977 , with provision for election of prior law, see section 209 of Pub. L. 95–615, set out as a note under section 911 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–30 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976 , see section 106(a) of Pub. L. 95–30, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 401(b)(3) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1975 , see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–164 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1975 and before Jan. 1, 1977 , see section 2(g) of Pub. L. 94–164, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–12 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1974 , and to cease to apply to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1976 , see section 209(a) of Pub. L. 94–12, as amended, set out as a note under section 3 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–625 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1974 , see section 10(e) of Pub. L. 93–625, set out as an Effective Date note under section 527 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–443 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1971 , see section 410(c)(2) of Pub. L. 93–443, set out as a note under section 30101 of Title 52, Voting and Elections.

Pub. L. 92–178, title II, § 204(a), Dec. 10, 1971 , 85 Stat. 511, provided that the amendment made by section 204(a) is effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1971 .

Amendment by section 941(a) of Pub. L. 91–172 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1969 , see section 941(c) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as a note under section 151 of this title.

Amendment by section 941(d) of Pub. L. 91–172, which substituted “$750”, “$1,750”, and “$2,500” for “$600”, “$1,700” and “$2,300” wherever appearing, effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1972 , was repealed by Pub. L. 92–178, title II, § 204(b), Dec. 10, 1971 , 85 Stat. 511.

Amendment by Pub. L. 88–272 applicable to dispositions after Dec. 31, 1963 , in taxable years ending after such date, see section 206(c) of Pub. L. 88–272, set out as an Effective Date note under section 121 of this title.

“The amendments [amending this section and section 911 of this title] made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1957 .”

Pub. L. 105–206, title II, § 2004, July 22, 1998 , 112 Stat. 726, related to the development of procedures for the implementation of a return-free tax system for taxable years beginning after 2007 and required an annual report to Congress , prior to repeal by Pub. L. 116–25, title II, § 2401, July 1, 2019 , 133 Stat. 1014.

Nothing in section 6012(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] shall be construed to require the filing of a return with respect to income taxes under subtitle A of such code by an individual whose only gross income for the taxable year is a grant of $1,000 received from a State which made such grants generally to residents of such State.

Pub. L. 93–625, § 10(f), Jan. 3, 1975 , 88 Stat. 2119, provided for exemption from filing requirement for a taxable year beginning after Dec. 31, 1971 , and before Jan. 1, 1975 , of any section 527(e)(1) organization where income of political organization was $100 or less.