My father is 86 years old. last year he made $20,000 from social security and $8450 from pension. Is he required to file a tax return?

[Phillip1 · Accepted solution]

No. Taxpayers are only required to file a tax return if there is taxable income after applying the standard deduction and their exemption. The standard deduction and exemption total 10,350 dollars.

Social security is only taxable if non-social security income plus ½ of social security income is greater than the base amount (25,000 for single filers). Since his other income plus half of Social Security income is less than 25,000 dollars, none of his social security income is taxable.