Tax Basics

Who’s required to file?

The income tax code is ever changing and keeping up can be quite a daunting task. ATC tax preparation pros use three key tax rules to determine if you are required to file a personal tax return. By using our tax preparation services, you’ll be able to simplify and speed up your tax filing process. Let’s go through the tax basics and updates.

First, let’s look at the three key factors that determine whether or not you are required to file a tax return.

If your gross income is above a certain amount you are required to file a federal tax return. Depending on your filing status, your age, and type of income you’re reporting, your gross income can vary quite a bit. Your gross income includes all income that you receive in the form of money, goods, property, and services.

If you are age 65 or older or legally blind any age on the last day of the tax year, you are allowed a higher amount of gross income than other taxpayers before you are required to file a return. By visiting your nearest ATC center and talking to our tax preparation service pros, you can learn more about the different exemptions based on the age bracket you fall under.

Figuring out your filing status is the first step in determining your filing requirement and your standard deduction. There are distinct differences in the filing criteria that come with each filing status. Our skilled teams of tax preparation professionals are ready to help you understand the subtleties.

Filing Status	Age	Income
Single	Under 65 Blind/65 or Older	$14,600 $16,550*
Head of House hold	Under 65 Blind/65 or Older	$21,900 $23,850
Married, filling jointly	Under 65 (both spouses) Blind/65 or Older (one spouses) Blind/65 or Older (both spouses)	$29,200 $30,750 $32,300
Married, filling separately	any age	$5
Qualitying widow(er)	under 65	$29,200
With dependent child	Blind/65 or older	$30,750**
Self-Employed	any age	$400

Filing Status	Amount
Single	$14,600
Married Filing Joint \| Qualifying Widow(er)	$29,200
Head of Household	$21,900
Married Filing Separate	$14,600
Dependent Standard Deduction (range)	$1,300 – $14,600

Personal exemptions were eliminated in 2018.

Tax Year 2023 Tax Rates and Brackets

Unmarried Filers		Married Filers		Rate
Over	But Not Over	Over	But Not Over	2024
$0	$11,600	$0	$23,200	10.0%
$11,601	$47,150	$23,201	$94,300	12.0%
$47,151	$100,525	$94,301	$201,050	22.0%
$100,526	$191,950	$201,051	$383,900	24.0%
$191,951	$243,725	$383,901	$487,450	32.0%
$243,726	$609,350	$487,451	$731,200	35.0%
$609,351	or more	$731,201	or more	37.0%

Tax rate schedules help you estimate your federal income tax. The tax tables are based on your expected filing status.

The actual amount of your income tax is figured on Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Form 1095-A and what it means for your taxes

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¹ $7000 EasyMoney Loan refers to the Refund Advance and is an optional tax-refund related loan provided by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC (it is not the actual tax refund) at participating locations. The amount of the loan and applicable interest will be deducted from tax refunds and reduce the amount that is paid directly to the taxpayer. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply. Tax returns may be filed electronically without applying for this loan. Loans offered in amounts of $500, $1,000, 25%, 50%, or 75% of your expected tax refund up to $7,000, with interest-based applicants receiving an average of $2,003.41; $7,000 available only to well-qualified applicants with a minimum expected tax refund of $9,569. Underwriting standards subject to change. When calculating the amount of your loan, the amount of your “expected” tax refund may be affected by any refundable tax credits and fees. Loans in the amounts of $250, $500, and $1,000 have an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 0.00%. Loans in the amounts of 25%, 50% or 75% of your expected tax refund have an APR of 36.0% with a minimum loan of $1,250. For example, $2,500 loan representing 50% of expected refund borrowed over 31-day term, total amount payable in a single payment is $2,576.44 including interest.. Loans in the amount of $500 or $1000 of your expected refund have zero cost to the taxpayer - 0.00% APR - for a maximum of up to $1500 w/$500 ATC Bonus. Availability is subject to satisfaction of identity verification, eligibility criteria, and underwriting standards.

² $500 Bonu$ is an optional tax refund related loan, not your tax refund, and is via ATC Advance for qualified individuals (Not EML). The amount of the advance - $100 to $500 - will be deducted from tax refunds and reduce the amount that is paid directly to the taxpayer. Tax returns may be filed electronically without applying for this loan. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply. The Bonu$ is not a "personal loan" and approval is subject to satisfaction of identity verification, eligibility criteria, and underwriting standards. There is no cost to the taxpayer to receive an advance... 0 fees - 0% interest! Ask ATC Tax Pro for details. Limited time offer at participating locations.

³ FREE Tax Review is only for individual tax returns. Some Self-Employment forms reported on Schedule C may qualify for a free tax review. ATC Tax Professionals will review the tax documents you provide, fill out the appropriate forms and advise accordingly. Some restrictions apply.

Tax Basics