What is the minimum amount of self-employment income that necessitates the filing of a tax return?

The minimum amount of self-employment income that necessitates the filing of a tax return is $400. According to IRS guidelines, individuals who earn $400 or more in net earnings from self-employment are required to file a tax return. This threshold is particularly important as it indicates the point at which self-employment taxes become applicable, meaning that the individual must report not just their income but also pay self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare contributions for self-employed individuals.

If self-employment income is below this amount, the IRS does not require the taxpayer to file a return solely based on that income. This threshold is specifically designed to identify those whose earnings are sufficient to warrant tax collection. Therefore, anyone earning $400 or more must fulfill their filing obligations, which makes this amount the correct answer.