You can earn up to a certain amount before paying federal income tax, depending on your filing status, due to the progressive tax brackets and standard deductions. For the 2025 tax year (taxes filed in 2026), the 10% tax bracket applies to income up to these limits:
- Single filers: $0 to $11,925
- Married filing jointly: $0 to $23,850
- Head of household: $0 to $17,000
- Married filing separately: $0 to $11,925
However, these amounts are taxable income, which is your gross income minus deductions such as the standard deduction. The standard deduction for 2025 (not explicitly provided in the search results but typically around $13,850 for single filers in recent years) means you can earn roughly that amount tax- free before owing federal income tax. In practical terms, if your total income after deductions (taxable income) is below these bracket thresholds, you will pay 10% on that income, but if your deductions reduce your taxable income to zero or below, you pay no federal income tax. To summarize:
- You start owing federal income tax once your taxable income exceeds the standard deduction amount.
- The lowest tax bracket (10%) applies up to about $11,925 for single filers.
- Your actual income before tax depends on your deductions, but roughly, if your income is below the standard deduction plus the 10% bracket threshold, you pay little or no tax
For exact thresholds including deductions, you should check the IRS standard deduction amounts for 2025 or use a tax calculator.
