As a pensioner how much can you earn before you pay tax?

Your age and filing status will have a lot to do with this. Plus any other gross amounts of worldwide income tax exempt interest and exempt municipal bonds and even any social security benefits amounts that you may be receiving for the tax year 2009 and tax year 2010.

A self employed taxpayer would be required to file an income tax return if business operation had a net profit of 400 and pay the social security and Medicare taxes that would be due plus any income tax that may be due after adding the net profit to all other gross income on the 1040 tax form and the amounts would be subject to income tax at the taxpayer marginal tax rates.

The must file an income tax return requirement for the year 2009 would be in the 2009 1040 instruction book starting on page 7 through 9 and the book is available at the IRS gov website and using the search box for 1040 and choosing instructions.

Filing Requirements