IRS Publication 501 (Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information) is one of those IRS documents that quietly does a ton of heavy lifting: it answers the big “do I even need to file?” question, clarifies which filing status you can use (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head Of Household, Qualifying Surviving Spouse), explains the rules for claiming dependents (including the difference between a qualifying child and a qualifying relative), and shows how to calculate your standard deduction using official tables and worksheets. It also highlights special situations—like dependents who may still need to file, how age 65 or blindness changes your standard deduction, when married filing separately gets tricky, and when you must file even with lower income because of “other situations” (such as self-employment net earnings or certain special taxes). If you’re self-employed, juggling multiple income streams, supporting family, or simply trying to avoid filing wrong, IRS Publication 501 is the roadmap that helps connect the dots between income, household setup, and what the IRS expects on your return.
What Is IRS Publication 501?
IRS Publication 501 is an IRS guide created to explain universal, high-impact rules that affect many taxpayers preparing a federal return—especially rules about who must file, filing status, dependents, and the standard deduction.
It’s written primarily for U.S. citizens and resident aliens, and it points nonresident aliens toward different rules and resources (such as Publication 519) when the standard guidance doesn’t apply.
Who Must File A Tax Return?
Whether a person must file depends on gross income, filing status, age, and whether they can be claimed as a dependent, and Publication 501 provides a “Filing Requirements Chart for Most Taxpayers” to help decide quickly.
It also explains that some people must file even if they’re under the usual income threshold due to specific “other situations,” such as net earnings from self-employment of at least $400 (among other triggers listed in the publication).
Who Should File Even If Not Required?
Publication 501 explains that filing can still be a smart move when a refund is possible—for example if federal income tax was withheld, estimated payments were made, or refundable credits apply.
It also notes a practical reason to file in some cases: receiving certain forms like Form 1099-B could make filing helpful to prevent follow-up notices when cost basis details are missing or unclear.
Filing Status Explained
Publication 501 lays out five filing statuses and emphasizes that filing status affects tax rate, eligibility for credits/deductions, and the standard deduction amount.
It explains how marital status is determined as of the last day of the tax year, and includes special rules for events like divorce, annulment, death of a spouse, and situations where married people living apart may still qualify for Head Of Household under specific tests.
Dependents And The Standard Deduction
The publication defines dependents as either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative, and it explains the major tests used to determine eligibility (including common edge cases like divorced parents, multiple support agreements, and SSN/ITIN requirements for dependents).
It also explains how the standard deduction works (and when it’s not allowed), provides standard deduction tables by filing status, and includes special rules that limit the standard deduction for dependents using an official worksheet method.
FAQs
Q: What Does IRS Publication 501 Cover?
A: Filing requirements, filing status, dependents, and the standard deduction (including special situations and worksheets).
Q: Is IRS Publication 501 Only For People With Dependents?
A: No—its filing status and standard deduction rules apply broadly, even if no dependents are claimed.
Q: Can A Dependent Still Need To File A Return?
A: Yes—Publication 501 explains dependent filing requirements based on earned income, unearned income, and gross income thresholds.