Your income, filing status, and age generally determine whether you must file an income tax return. Generally, you must file a return for 2007 if your gross income from worldwide sources is at least the amount shown for your filing status in the following table.
Single: $8,750
65 or older: $10,050
Head of household: $11,250
65 or older: $12,550
Qualifying widow(er): $14,100
65 or older: $15,150
Married filing jointly: $17,500
Not living with spouse at end of year: $3,400
One spouse 65 or older: $18,550
Both spouses 65 or older: $19,600
Married filing separately: $3,400
If you are the dependent of another taxpayer, see the instructions for Form 1040 for more information on whether you must file a return.
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Gross income. This includes all income you receive in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax.
For purposes of determining whether you must file a return, gross income includes any income that you can exclude as foreign earned income or as a foreign housing amount.
When To File and Pay
If you file on the calendar year basis, the due date for filing your return is April 15 of the following year. If you file on a fiscal year basis (a year ending on the last day of any month except December), the due date is three months and 15 days after the close of your fiscal year. In general, the tax shown on your return should be paid by the due date of the return, without regard to any extension of time for filing the return.
A tax return delivered by the U.S. mail or a designated delivery service that is postmarked or dated by the delivery service on or before the due date is considered to have been filed on or before that date. See your Form 1040 or Form 1040A instructions for a list of designated delivery services.
Extensions
You can get an extension of time to file your return. In some circumstances, you can also get an extension of time to file and pay any tax due.
However, if you pay the tax due after the regular due date, interest will be charged from the regular due date until the date the tax is paid.
Automatic two-month extension. You may be allowed an automatic two-month extension to file your return and pay any federal income tax that is due. You will be allowed the extension if you are a U.S. citizen or resident, and on the regular due date of your return:
You are living outside of the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of business or post of duty is outside the United States and Puerto Rico or:
--You are in military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
--If you use a calendar year, the regular due date of your return is April 15.
Service in a combat zone. If you served in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area, you may be eligible for a longer extension of time to file. See Extension of Deadline in Publication 3.
Married taxpayers. If you file a joint return, either you or your spouse can qualify for the automatic extension. If you and your spouse file separate returns, this automatic extension applies only to the spouse who qualifies for it.
How to get the extension. To use this automatic two-month extension, you must attach a statement to your return explaining which of the two situations listed earlier qualified you for the extension.
Four-month extension. If you're not able to file your return by the due date, you generally can get an automatic 4-month extension of time to file. To get this automatic extension, you must file Form 4868. Or, you can file Form 4868 electronically (e-file) by telephone, using your personal computer, or through a tax professional. For more information about filing electronically, see the form instructions.
The form must show your properly estimated tax liability based on the information available to you.
