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
Comments
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Sandra O.
How do I have state taxes withheld from my SSA check? Every year I owe the dang state over $3000 and I need to offset this by monthly contributions.
Pamela F.
I am @ full retirement age. Worked last year. When using the formula on the 1099( enter 1/2 of line A to total income…then add) I am filing married separately. Not lived w/ husband since 2014. Line E is over 25K. Does the 1/2 amount in line B is taxable along with work income? So is work income plus Line B amount the taxable amount on tax form?
Charles G.
My friend is providing rental space and services equal to 450$ per month. I do not pay her but she is claiming this as the deduction on her Taxes State and Federal. My SS check is 1033.00 per month, well below the poverty line for Minnesota. Am I now liable to pay taxes on this addition amount and does the benefit to mean that I must reduce my SSA amount according to the SSA ordinary income rule?
Stacey N.
Is my SSI considered taxable income
A.C.
Hi, Stacey. Thanks for your question. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not taxable. However, under current law, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers Social Security benefits taxable income for beneficiaries whose countable income exceeds certain limits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your benefits. See our Benefits Planner: “Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits” for more information. Thanks!
betty g.
I have my SSA-1099 from 2018 how do I have federal taxes taken out of my social security benefits. What web site do I use.
V.V.
Thank you for your question, Betty. To sign up for Voluntary Tax Withholding, you will need to complete Form W-4V. You can download the form or call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for it. When you complete the form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld for taxes.
Visit our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information.
John M.
I am currently receiving SSA benefits (no federal taxes withheld)
How do I start federal with holding taxes to avoid paying at year end?
A.C.
Hi, John. Thanks for your question. In order to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail or in person. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. Thanks, again!
Larry S.
Can I have federal income tax withholding from my social security check?
ELLWYN H.
I am trying to get my SS statement for tax purposes online. It keeps blocking me out saying I can’t be identified. I never received my statement this year, possibly because we moved. What do I do? It is time to get my taxes done.
V.V.
Thank you for your question, Ellwyn. Social Security sends the SSA-1099 each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits using the address they have on file with Social Security.
You can request a replacement 2018 SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S after February 1 using your my Social Security account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one. Once you are logged in to your account, select the “Replacement Documents” tab.
If you are unable to create a my Social Security account or do not want to request it online, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office.
Debra K.
I need a form to stop federal witholding taxes from my SS. Where can I find it?
A.C.
Hi, Debra. In order to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail or in person. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
Lawrence G.
I want to have taxes tsken out of my my monthly SS benefit. How do I get the necessary forms to begin doing that for tax year 2019?
V.V.
Hi Lawrence, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. To sign up for voluntary tax withholding, you’ll need a Form W-4V from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can download the form or call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for Form W-4V. Sign the form and return it to your local Social Security office by mail or in person.