Tax Season — It’s About What You Know
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2016
Did you know that your Social Security benefits may be taxable?
This includes your monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. About one-third of people receiving Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of these benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income. This may happen if you have other significant income in addition to your Social Security benefits.
To find out whether you must pay taxes on your benefits, you will need your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099/1042S). You should automatically receive it in the mail each January. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to the Internal Revenue Service on your tax return. The benefit statement is not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as SSI payments are not taxable.
If you didn’t receive your Benefit Statement or misplaced it, you can get an instant replacement easily by using your secure my Social Security account. If you don’t already have an online account, you can create one in minutes. Go to the my Social Security page, and select “Sign In or Create an Account.” Once you are logged in, select the “Replacement Documents” tab to obtain your replacement 1099 or 1042S benefit statement. You can also use your personal my Social Security account to keep track of your earnings each year, manage your benefits, and more.
You can also obtain a replacement benefit statement by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or contacting your local Social Security Office. If you live outside of the United States, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Don’t wait. Be ready! Open your own personal my Social Security account today.
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About the Author
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Richard R.
I have not received anSSA 1099 form for my father who has passed away
V.V.
Hi Richard. Thanks for using our blog to ask your question. The SSA-1099 is mailed in January to the last address in our records and is intended for the spouse or executor of the deceased. If you do not have access to the mail at that address, the executor will need to call the local field office after February 1, 2021. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Sharon
I was told how much money I could make before my SS benefits were taxed. I made less than this amount, but I’m being taxed on almost all of my benefits! What happened?!
V.V.
Hi Sharon, thanks for using our blog. Some Social Security beneficiaries have to pay federal (not state) income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if they have other substantial income in addition to their benefits (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on the federal tax return).
For information about taxation of benefits, visit our Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefits web page. We hope this is helpful!
Sabrina
What is the address to return the W-4V form. I have been on hold for about 10 minutes.
V.V.
Hi Sabrina, thanks for using our blog. Mail the completed, signed W-4V to your local Social Security office. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain their mailing address.
Check out our Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this is helpful!
CRISTINA R.
how is Social Security received taxable for
a married person leaving separately and
receiving investment
V.V.
Hi Christina, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. For information about taxation of benefits, visit our Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefits web page. We hope this is helpful!
Justin S.
Can I choose to have taxes deducted from my
survivors social security payments ?
Thank You
V.V.
Thank you for your question, Justin. You can have federal taxes withheld from your Social Security survivor benefits by completing Form W-4V. You can download the form or call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for Form W-4V. When you complete the form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld for taxes. Mail the completed, signed form to your local Social Security office. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain their mailing address.
Check out our Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this is helpful!
Ginger
Is SSDI taxable by state (New York)? If so, will SSA withhold?
V.V.
Hi Ginger, thanks for using our blog. Some Social Security beneficiaries have to pay federal (not state) income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if they have other substantial income in addition to their benefits (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on the federal tax return).
For information about taxation of benefits, visit our Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefits web page. We hope this is helpful!
Ralph M.
My SSA1099 is incorrect. There was a software(?) error that posted 3 months less income plus one month withholding for net income (exactly!), 2 months less medicare. Gross adds up but is not my correct amount. I changed my withholding in september.
My net deposits are exact to my expectations, 9 months one amount, 3 months another amount.
Whom do I contact?
V.V.
Hi Ralph, thanks for using our blog. If you participated in voluntary tax withholding in 2020, you will automatically receive a corrected SSA-1099 in the mail. You do not need to take any action to receive it. We appreciate your patience.
If you still have questions, you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.