Tax Season: What To Know If You Get Social Security or Supplemental Security Income
Reading Time: 4 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
It’s tax season once again. It’s important to read this blog even if your earnings or benefits don’t require you to file a federal tax return. You may be entitled to special tax credits that can mean extra cash to help you with expenses. These tax credits are available even if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and don’t normally file a tax return.
The Child Tax Credit
What is the Child Tax Credit (CTC)?
The CTC is a tax benefit, expanded in March 2021, that helps families who are raising children. You can claim the CTC for any qualifying child even if you don’t usually file a federal tax return. You can get up to $3,600 per qualifying child under age 6, and up to $3,000 for each qualifying child age 6 – 17. These ages are determined as of December 31, 2021.
Am I eligible for the CTC if I get Social Security or SSI?
Yes, if you meet the qualifying rules of the CTC. You can claim this credit from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) based on each of your qualifying children, even if you get Social Security or SSI and don’t normally file a tax return. You also may have received up to half of your credit through advance monthly CTC payments made by the IRS from July to December 2021. For more information about advance monthly CTC payments, you can visit ChildTaxCredit.gov and the IRS 2021 CTC and Advance CTC Payments Frequently Asked Questions.
Will advance monthly CTC payments, or any CTC I claim on my tax return, reduce my Social Security or SSI benefits?
Advance monthly CTC payments, as well as any CTC that you claim on your 2021 tax return, won’t reduce your Social Security benefits.
If you receive SSI, we won’t count the CTC (or any advance monthly payments you might have received during 2021) as income or resources for 12 months after you receive it when considering your eligibility for SSI and monthly SSI payment amount. If you received any advance monthly CTC payments, be aware of when you received them. You can get that information from the IRS Child Tax Credit Update Portal.
How do I claim the CTC?
You can claim the CTC when you file your federal tax return for 2021. You can visit ChildTaxCredit.gov for options to file a federal tax return for free.
What if I have questions about the CTC?
Please visit ChildTaxCredit.gov and read IRS Filing Season 2021 CTC Questions and Answers if you have questions. Social Security can’t answer CTC questions.
The Earned Income Tax Credit
What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
The EITC provides low- to moderate-income workers and families a tax break. If you qualify, you can use the credit to reduce the taxes you owe – and maybe increase your refund. The EITC amount you might get generally depends on your earned income and the number of your qualifying children.
Am I eligible for the EITC if I get Social Security or SSI?
Yes, if you meet the qualifying rules of the EITC. Receiving Social Security or SSI doesn’t affect your eligibility for the EITC.
Do my Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI payments count as earned income for the EITC?
Learn if your disability payments count as earned income for the EITC at the IRS’ Disability and the Earned Income Tax Credit webpage.
How do I claim the EITC?
To claim the EITC, you must qualify and file a federal tax return. You can visit ChildTaxCredit.gov for options to file a federal tax return for free.
What if I have questions about the EITC?
Learn more about the EITC, including basic qualifications, at the IRS’ Earned Income Tax Credit webpage. Social Security can’t answer EITC questions.
Your Annual Social Security Benefit Statement
What is the Benefit Statement and what do I do with it?
Your Benefit Statement is a tax form from Social Security that shows the total amount of Social Security benefits you received in the previous year. It’s also referred to as an SSA-1099. Noncitizens who live outside of the United States receive the SSA-1042S instead of the SSA-1099. You should report the amount of Social Security income you received to the IRS on your federal tax return.
The Benefit Statement isn’t available for people who only receive SSI payments because SSI payments aren’t taxed.
How do I get my annual benefit statement?
If you receive Social Security benefits, we mailed your Benefit Statement to your address on file with us. If you didn’t receive it, or if lost, you can get your SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S instantly online with a my Social Security account.
Remember to Check your Earnings History
If you don’t receive Social Security benefits, this is a great time to review your earnings history by looking at your Social Security Statement (Statement). It’s important because your future Social Security benefits will be based on your earnings history we received from the IRS. Underreported earnings will mean lower monthly benefit payments when you are ready to start receiving them.
Use your Statement to review your earnings history and to see personalized benefit estimates so you can plan for your future.
Tax season doesn’t have to be a stressful time of year. And for many people, it’s an opportunity to claim additional money. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, more Americans can claim larger Child Tax Credits and Earned Income Tax Credits for 2021.
Please share this blog with family and friends and remember that Social Security is here to help secure your today and tomorrow.
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Lynda s.
Can I receive the money that was withdrawn from my SS check while I was working, now that I’m 70?
A.C.
Hi, Lynda. Thanks for visiting our blog. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can answer in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Armand Z.
Can you get a SSA-1099 online for prior years?
A.C.
Hi, Armand. Thanks for your question. For years prior to the last year, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Amanda P.
I received SSDI in 2021. As an “individual” who did not earn anything more than my SSDI benefits (and under the allotted amount of $25,000), I read that I am not required to file tax forms for 2021. However, if there are special government stimulus payments offered in 2022 due to the pandemic or other types of issues, I am told if I don’t file, I will not be eligible for stimulus payments. What IRS tax forms do I need to complete? Do I need to also provide an SSA-1099 since you already have my paperwork on file?
A.C.
Hi, Amanda. Thanks for visiting our blog. Please visit the IRS website for all your Economic Income Payment-related questions. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Ronnie
my earnings are higher then what is on my earnings record with SSA, what do I do?
A.C.
Hi, Ronnie. Thanks for visiting our blog. For more information about how to correct your earnings record, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Winter W.
My SSA-1099 form included a lump sum payment for the previous two tax years well as this one. However, half of that money was signed over to the insurance company as reimbursement for overlapping benefit payment. I shouldn’t have to pay taxes on that portion. Essentially that money was not for me, but was for the insurance company and was paid out to them as soon as it entered my account. How do I report this on my tax form to avoid paying that income tax? I can’t find instructions anywhere regarding this issue.
DASHUND H.
Yes can you please help me with my my my my benefits because I want to know about my crane status
A.C.
Hi, Dashund. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
A.C.
Hi, Winter. Thank for visiting our blog. For federal tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or you can visit their website. We hope this information is helpful.
Manny D.
Do my parents need to file 2021 income taxes if they both receive SSA-1099? They have no other source of income.
Thank You
A.C.
Hi, Manny. Thanks for your question. If they file a joint return, they must pay taxes if they have “combined income” of more than $32,000. If they are married and file a separate return, they probably will have to pay taxes on their benefits. For more information, visit our Benefits Planner. For tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or you can visit their website. We hope this information is helpful.
Karen C.
I’ve been on ssdi since 2010 and now have to pay taxes as my household income exceeds the maximum amount allotted. How do I get taxes taken out of my ssdi monthly payments? I already have $200/mo held back for going over the cola threshold eight years ago, can I ask for more to be held back to cover taxes that now needs to be paid?
A.C.
Hi, Karen. Thanks for your question. In order to have taxes withheld or to change the amount of your withholding 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. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
Yvonne W.
I have been searching throughout and cannot locate any information about how to have taxes deducted from my Social Security check. This was the first time I have had to pay back funds to the IRS. I am requesting that Taxes be deducted.
Nexus2014
Get a W4-v for volintary withheld amounts,
A.C.
Hi, Yvonne. 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. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
B&C J.
Thank you Ann C. for this information.
We could not find this info anywhere within ‘My Social Security Account’ website.
We printed the W-4V forms (2 ea) and will submit today.
Trista L.
i recieve disability benefits and i would like to apply for SSI. i lost it over a year ago but when i try to fill out an application, i get an error message. how do i go about fixing this?
Joe C.
How can I get a copy of my tax paper so I can get my taxes done
A.C.
Hi, Joe. It sounds like you are referring to the SSA-1099, a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. You can request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021 by visiting your personal my Social Security account. For additional information on how to request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. You also may be able to request a replacement SSA-1099 by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. Our automated services are available 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a replacement SSA-1099. We hope this information is helpful.
Willie M.
I’m trying to get one using the automated system and I keep being put on hold.
A.C.
Hi, Trista. Since you are currently receiving disability benefits, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Delvekeo C.
Hi there my name is Delvekeo wallace and I. Trying to get a copy of my social security card
Pamela E.
You can’t get a copy, Just a new card. Go to SSI office with required documents and it won’t take long…. Or call the 800 772-1213
A.C.
Hi, Delveko. First, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing the Social Security number is what is important. To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. We hope this helps.