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
Comments
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Alejandra R.
I got a social security number what I need to do to transfer my credit from the itin number to the new number can I go to the office or I have to make an appointment
Gloria R.
gloriarose697@gmail.com
I need to change bank because someone keeps charging my account with purchases I did not do. This is the fourth time I have gotten a new ATM card. I am tired of this. So what do I need to do?
Tom
You can change your bank info online if you have your account set up.
Tom
You have to make an appointment. You might be able to do this online if you have an account set up.
A.C.
Hi, Alejandra. Please contact the IRS for assistance. For more information, visit their website. Thanks!
Joanna A.
My late husband was receiving Supplemental Social security benefits when he passed away at the age of 46 years old, he was 7 months older than me. I wasn’t old enough to draw off his benefits, like widow’s benefits. Now, I’m disabled and I receive the same as my late husband, Supplimental Social security benefits. Aren’t I eligible for part of widows benefits also?
B. T.
I believe that you just receive one amount. If he did not work, there are no benefits that you would receive.
A.C.
Hi, Joanna. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You may be eligible to apply for widow benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, there are other factors that may affect your entitlement to these benefits. Find more information on survivors benefits by visiting our If You Are The Survivor page. For additional specifc questions about your possible entitlement, 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. We hope this helps.
Linda S.
Why can’t we access your website 24/7 to look at our account, and not just during your office hours? I tried last night and couldn’t get on.
B. T.
I tried to get them for hours during the day, and could not get them. The site was down, also. I cannot see any other alternate.
A.C.
Hi, Linda. Thanks for question. We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to use all of our online services today. Due to scheduled systems maintenance, some of our Online Services were unavailable during certain times.
Cheng L.
192 Commercial St, Malden, MA 02148
+18665968598
Malden MA
The first time I called and waited 15 minutes. A man answered, he hung up after saying hello, and then I couldn’t make calls. It’s been three days.
Carla Z.
How much extra income can I earn at the age of
67?
Tom
When you set up your account online you can get that information. There is a graph that shows how much you can get at different ages.
B. T.
Good luck with that!
A.C.
Hi, Carla. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Also, as long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. For more details, visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page.We hope this helps.
Charles B.
My mother passed away last February 2021. As executor of her estate, I need to obtain a copy of her SSI benefits for last year for income tax purposes. I tried creating an on-line SSI account to get the 1099, but it will not accept her SSI #. I called the local office in Hot Springs, and get cut off repeatedly after being on hold for many minutes. The local office is not accepting walk-ins. What can I try next?
Barb J.
I have the same problem for my husband.
A.C.
Hi, Charles. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. The SSA-1099 is mailed to the last address in our records and is intended for the spouse or executor of the deceased. If you did not receive the benefit statement, the executor will need to contact their local Social Security office with proof of death and proof of executorship. An SSA-1099 can also be given to someone receiving benefits on the deceased beneficiary’s record such as a spouse, parent, or child of the deceased. If you need more information, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative for assistance. We hope this helps.
Patty G.
My 97-year old mother lives independently at home. She often loses her mail and can’t find her Social Security 1099 form. I have her power of attorney. How can I get a copy of the form for her taxes?
A.C.
Hi, Patty. Thanks for your question. Please note that having a power of attorney does not give you legal authority to manage payments for someone receiving Social Security or SSI benefits. If your mother needs help managing his benefits, you may be interested in applying to become her representative payee. As a representative payee, you will have access to your mother’s records and the ability to update her account information. Please read our publication, A Guide For Representative Payees, for more information. As far as her SSA-1099, to learn how to request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. She also may be able to request a replacement SSA-1099 by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. She can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that she’s requesting a replacement SSA-1099. We hope this helps.
Anthony R.
What is the maximum earnings can I make so as not to effect my ssi
Doug
$18,600
A.C.
Hi, Anthony. Thanks for your question. For information and examples about how work affects your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, visit our Supplemental Security Income (SSI): What Is Income? page. For additional 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.
Iesha A.
I receive SSI with one qualifying child for the CTC, I opted to get monthly payments, do I need to file taxes to receive the other half of my CTC?
A.C.
Hi, Iesha. 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. Thanks!
Connie M.
How much extra income can I earn if I’m drawing social security benefits at the age of 75?
Dennis D.
Dennisdzafic4@gmail.com. 10/19/1982. xxxxxxxxxx
A.C.
Hi, Connie. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Also, as long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. For more details, visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page.We hope this helps.