Benefits Planner | Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefit (2024)

About 40% of people who get Social Security must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. This usually happens if you have other substantial income in addition to your benefits. Substantial income includes wages, earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return.

You will pay tax on your Social Security benefits based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules if you:

  • File a federal tax return as an "individual" and your combined income* is
    • Between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of your benefits.
    • More than $34,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.
  • File a joint return, and you and your spouse have a combined income* that is
    • Between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of your benefits.
    • More than $44,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.
  • Are married and file a separate tax return, you probably will pay taxes on your benefits.

* Your adjusted gross income
+ Nontaxable interest
+

½ of your Social Security benefits

= Your "combined income"

Each January, we mail a Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S) showing the amount of benefits you received in the previous year. You can use this Benefit Statement when you complete your federal income tax return to find out if your benefits are subject to tax.

If you misplaced or didn't receive a Form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for the previous tax year, you can get an instant replacement form. You can get the forms with your personal my Social Security account. If you don't have an account, you can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. To get your replacement Form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, select the "Replace Your Tax Form SSA-1099/SSA-1042S" link. Go to the “Choose a year” dropdown menu. Then choose the year for any of the past 6 years for which benefits were paid and select “Download” link. If you live outside the U.S., go to www.ssa.gov/foreign and learn how you can access our online services with an ID.me account.

If you do have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits, you can choose to have federal taxes withheld from your benefits to avoid or reduce owing tax in the future.

For more information about taxation of benefits, read our Retirement Benefits booklet or IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits.

Benefits Planner | Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefit (2024)

FAQs

How to get a benefits planning query from Social Security? ›

Beneficiaries can request a BPQY by contacting their local office, or calling 1-800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-free TTY/TDD number, 1-800-325-0778, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

How do I calculate how much of my Social Security benefits are taxable? ›

You report the taxable portion of your social security benefits on line 6b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) one-half of your benefits, plus (2) all of your other income, including tax-exempt interest, is greater than the base amount for your filing status.

How do I get answers to Social Security questions? ›

For general Social Security inquiries, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have a problem or question, try our toll-free telephone number first.

At what income limit does Social Security become taxable? ›

Between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of your benefits. More than $34,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.

Does SSI look at gross or net income? ›

HOW DOES YOUR INCOME AFFECT YOUR SSI BENEFIT? Step 1: We subtract any income that we do not count from your total gross income. The remaining amount is your "countable income."

How can you get an estimate of your Social Security benefits? ›

If you have a personal my Social Security account, you can get an estimate of your future retirement benefits and see the effects of different retirement age scenarios. If you don't have a personal my Social Security account, create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxable? ›

While you may have heard at some point that Social Security is no longer taxable after 70 or some other age, this isn't the case. In reality, Social Security is taxed at any age if your income exceeds a certain level.

Can I get a tax refund if my only income is Social Security? ›

You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.

How much tax should I have withheld from my Social Security check? ›

You can have 7, 10, 12 or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld for taxes. Only these percentages can be withheld. Flat dollar amounts are not accepted. Sign the form and return it to your local Social Security office by mail or in person.

Where is the best place to get Social Security advice? ›

Our website is the best way for most people to get help. our website, call our National 800 Number (1-800-772-1213) or your local Social Security office for help. We will schedule an appointment for you, if necessary, to serve you by phone or in person.

What is the Social Security 5 year rule? ›

If you become disabled before your full retirement age, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in five of the last 10 years.

Is there really a $16728 Social Security bonus? ›

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

How do I calculate the taxable amount of my Social Security benefits? ›

When your Social Security may be taxed. Social Security benefit taxes are based on what the Social Security Administration (SSA) refers to as your “combined” income. That consists of your adjusted gross income, plus any nontaxable interest you earned (and certain other items) and half of your Social Security income.

How much can a retired person make without paying taxes? ›

How Is Social Security Taxed in Retirement?
Combined IncomeTaxable Portion of Social Security
$0 to $24,999No tax
$25,000 to $34,000Up to 50% of SS may be taxable
More than $34,000Up to 85% of SS may be taxable
Married, Joint Return
8 more rows

How can I get a benefit verification letter from Social Security? ›

You can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. If you don't have an account, you can create one at any time. It's easy, convenient, and secure. To set up your account, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount and select, “Create an Account.”

Can I request a BPQy online? ›

You may also request a BPQY by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting www.ssa.gov.

How can I get a benefit statement from Social Security? ›

NOTE: You can receive an immediate Social Security Statement online by using a free my Social Security account. Log in or sign up today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

How do I get advice on Social Security benefits? ›

our website, call our National 800 Number (1-800-772-1213) or your local Social Security office for help.

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