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. Marjorie T.

    I receive SS retirement benefits, have requested that 25% of my benefit be deducted from my checks, but have no verification that the deduction is being made. The amount of my check is 26% less than my benefit statement says it should be, so I assume — a dangerous thing — that the gap is a tax withholding. How can I verify that?

    • R.F.

      Hi Marjorie! Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Even though a benefit verification letter should reflect any deductions made from your benefits, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents to verify or confirm this information. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  2. Andrew a.

    I’m trying to stop the monthly tax deduction for my wife and I, and I will pay any tax necessary when federal taxes are due.

    • K.O.

      Hello Andrew, if you want to change or stop your tax withholding, you’ll need a Form W-4V from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can download the W-4V form here or call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request. Complete the form, sign and return it to your local Social Security office by mail or in person.

  3. randy m.

    how do I have taxes withheld from my social security

  4. Barbara

    I would like to have taxes taken out of my social security.

  5. Barry F.

    I am now receiving Social Sec. benefits but I now want to begin with holding 10% federal tax on this amount please let me know what I have to do and if I can do this on line?
    thanks

  6. Linda R.

    We need to have withholding taken out of our soc .sec. How do we start this?

  7. Fabian H.

    How can I get taxes taking out of my benefits on line or do I have to go to the office to do it

  8. Ellen a.

    I need a tax statement for 2017. How do I get it.? And I have long term insurance. Is that included in my statement for the year? Thnx

    • J.Y.

      Good news! You can request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2017 by visiting http://go.usa.gov/ZSvm.

  9. Mark E.

    Can I have taxes deducted from my Social Security benefits?

  10. Bette R.

    Help, I need a copy of income tax info to do my taxes. Bette Rae Vohs 1510 N forest St #204 Bellingham, Wa. 98225 Asap Tax time is near!!!!! Thank you

Comments are closed.