Online Services, Taxes

Tax Season — It’s About What You Know

March 17, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: March 17, 2016

a picture of stree signs that read tax season, and again.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

  1. Lisa B.

    Can you please tell me if State Taxes are withheld from Social Security and if so, what form would need to be filled out for the State of Ohio? I will receive my first benefit check the end of October 2019. Everything I see on your site is about Fed Taxes and the Form W 4V.
    Thanks you.

  2. Debra E.

    How do I get state taxes deducted from my disability checks?

  3. Anthony G.

    Hello – How can go about setting up Benefits check deductions

    • Luis A.

      Thank you for your question, Anthony. In order to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, you must start by completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). You can find more information about this topic here. We hope this helps.

  4. Alan D.

    All I need is the w4-v form to print. Why is it so hard to find?

  5. Blair M.

    I am currently receiving SSA monthly payments without Federal Tax being withheld, but I now want the Federal Tax withheld; who do I go about making this change?

    Thnak you.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Blair. 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!

  6. Joan h.

    When on disability at age six 58 and turn 65 does the amount change on check

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for your question, Joan. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same. Also starting the month you reach retirement age, you will get benefits with no limit on your earnings. To find out your full retirement age, visit here. We hope this helps.

  7. Millie G.

    I need to have taxes deducted from my monthly Social Security benefits. How do I accomplish that?

    thank you.
    millie g

  8. Rose

    How do i set up withholding on my SS benefits

  9. Kathy M.

    How do I increase my tax payment?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Kathy. Thanks for your question. In order to have taxes withheld from or to make changes to 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.

  10. Neva M.

    I do not owe any taxes.
    Do I still need to file tax form and what would that form be?

Comments are closed.