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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robert s.
I currently do not have federal or state taxes withheld from social security payments. I would like to begin having them withheld. How do I do that?
Ann C.
Hi, Robert. Thank you for your question. We do not withhold state taxes from Social Security payments. In order to have federal 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. Check out our Benefits Planner | Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits for more information. We hope this helps.
ALICIA b.
My husband and I have a combined income less than 32,000. why are we having to pay taxes on his SS benefits?
Ann C.
Hi, Alicia. Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if an individual has other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on their tax return) in addition to their benefits. See our Benefits Planner: Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits for more information. For any income tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040. We hope this helps.
Lois W.
How can I have federal tax withheld from my social security checks?
Vonda V.
Thank you for your question, Lois. To enroll in Voluntary Tax Withholding, you 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 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. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits for more information.
Harold L.
How can I have FIT withheld? There doesn’t seem to be anyplace on the web pages to enter this.
Kenny O.
Hello Harold, perhaps you mean Voluntary Tax deduction. 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. We hope this helps. Thanks!
Kevin A.
I just applied for Social Security Benefits on line.
Can I also fill out a W-4V Form on line to have my taxes taken out of my check? Or do I have to send it in seperately by regular mail?
Thank you,
Kenny O.
Hello Kevin. Thank you for your question. There is not an option to sign up for voluntary tax withholding in the application path. 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. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits for more information. Thanks!
Robert S.
Please make 1099s available electronically as soon as they are prepared, rather than starting in February each year. Also, please allow a “paperless” option just like all private financial institutions.
Barbara
I need to know how much of my SS is taxable
Ann C.
Hi, Barbara. You will have to pay Federal taxes on your Social Security benefits if you file a Federal tax return as an individual and your total income is more than $25,000. For further income tax questions, you will need to contact the https://www.irs.gov/. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040. We hope this helps.
donald s.
I want to send in a w4 form for benefits. where do I send it. I start my benefits next month.
Vonda V.
Thank you for your question, Donald. 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. Sign the form and return it to your local Social Security office by mail or in person.
See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits for more information.
Beverly M.
How do I stop income tax deduction from my benefits? Do I need to go to a SS office to request the stop?
Michael H.
I would like to discontinue tax witholding on my monthly SS Disability check. I changed it in the past online but dont remember how I did it. I recently filled out a W-4V form and mailed it to SS Admin
Northeastern Program Service Center
PO Box 310120 but it came back as NOT DELIVERABLE
AS ADDRESSED. Please help
Thank You