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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Lynda
Didin’t get an answer to my question. If all my SS goes to medicare payments (plus I pay extra) do I report the SS as income on my income tax?
R.F.
Hello Lynda, some people may have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. 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) . Your question is an income tax question, and you will need to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040. Thanks!
mary S.
please tell me how to have taxes taken out of my ss check ??? also how do I updated my email address
Lori D.
I’m trying to find out how to apply online for 2017k, with SSD as my sole income. So far, I’ve seen nothing to help …
R.F.
Benefits Planner: Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefits.
Christy N.
I was told that since I just started receiving benefits in 2017 September that I do not report it on my 2017 tax return. I received Form SSA 1099 for four months.
R.F.
See our Benefits Planner: Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefits for information on this topic. Thanks!
Jonell H.
How do we take State and Federal Income Tax out of the monthly amount we receive?
R.F.
Hello Jonell, visit our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for information on this topic. Thanks!
Shirley M.
How do you go about, having tax taken out of my Social Security check each month.
Jan P.
My CPA said I needed to have 15% more taxes taken out each month. How do I do that?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Jan. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, or if you want to change or stop your withholding, you’ll need a Form W-4V from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits for more information.
Jan P.
Our CPA said I needed to put 15% more into my taxes. What do I do?
Grace D.
I haven’t gotten a tax statement to do my taxes. I am new to the computer & am going in circles to get one.I can’t get through the voice mail on the phone cause he keeps hanging up and now I can’t get through to you. Help
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us, Grace. If you’re referring to the Form SSA-1099, you can get a replacement copy by using your personal my Social Security account.
George
I think the retirement systems for Government employees should only pay them what we get from Social Security. See how fast it becomes fair.