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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Tiffany J.
I’ve been on disability for a number of years, but I’ve been told that it seems like I’m getting less than the average person. How do I check on thst?
A.C.
Hi, Tiffany. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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. As far are your benefits, 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.
Tiffany J.
I’m on ssd/ ssi I’ve seen comments about withholding federal taxes… So I’m confused why do people do this? Does it allow you to get taxes back at tax time? If you have some held back then can you get Earned income credit?
Dr. J.
Are Survivor’s Benefits decreasing considerably this year?
Dr. J.
I have noticed that my Survivor’s Benefits have decreased considerably. Why?
Dr. J.
I have noticed that my survivor’s benefits have decreased considerably. Should this have happened, and if so, why?
A.C.
Hi, Dr. Joan. 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.
Saundra B.
Are Survivor Benefit payments to be claimed on tax return for 2021?
A.C.
Hi, Saundra. For information about paying taxes on Social Security benefits, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. For specific 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 helps.
David L.
Are SSI benefits subject to state and local taxes?
Jeffery T.
mystrotez@gmail.com. The treasurer took my first stimulus check of 1,200 dollars and gave it to my back child support. As I read through all this app has to offer, I now see that they wasn’t suppose to do that in that manner. We were in a disaster in Lake Charles LA, and it was bad. How can I get my stimulus check. Thanks. And further more I did receive the second and third one, I don’t understand that. Once again, Thanks…
A.C.
Hi, Jeffrey. 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!
A.C.
Hi, David. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are not taxed. Some may have to pay federal income taxes on Social Security benefits. For more information, please visit our Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefit page. Thanks.
Mary
Is there any agency or location that have the WV-4 ? I do not have access to a printer. Any suggestions.?
Mary M.
I need a copy of my award letter showing what social security is month to month
A.C.
Hi, Mary. 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.
Hemant K.
If the judge said one year payee how do I get that paperwork from the courts.? To show social security I was supposed to have them benefits under my name but they’re overlooked that judgment from the judge. Can you pull them records for me somehow? I need an avenue to use to get there? Let me know somebody?
A.C.
Hi, Hemant. 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.
Delphina a.
i need to get a copy my award letter showing
what my social security is on a month to
month this year.
Keisha s.
When will I receive my social security benefits
A.C.
Hi, Keisha. 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.
Mary M.
I need a award letter
A.C.
Hi, Mary. It sounds like you are referring to a benefit verification letter. If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter by creating a personal my Social Security account online. For questions regarding your benefit verification letter, we ask that members in our Blog community contact our offices. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.
A.C.
Hi, Delphina. It sounds like you are referring to a benefit verification letter. If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter by creating a personal my Social Security account online. For questions regarding your benefit verification letter, we ask that members in our Blog community contact our offices. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.
Mark T.
How do I cancel my disabilty
Amanda B.
It takes time. They ask if your condition has improved. If it really hasn’t, they will send you your disability social security. After about 6 months they ask for the money back…also tried to cancel Medicare. Still have it, I don’t use it. Too concerned they will want that back too. I am off all my meds and I NEVER get medical care. Such is life in USA!
A.C.
Hi, Mark. Unfortunately, your comment is a bit more complex than we can handle 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.
Ralph T.
I work part-time..my earnings per year should replace my lowest earnings years which determine my current payments. When will I see an increase in payments due to replacing some of these lowest earning years?
A.C.
Hi, Ralph. Each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. Generally, we will send a letter explaining any increase in your benefit amount. Check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, for more infomation. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or contact your local office directly for any additional questions. We hope this helps.
John A.
is that why this year tax r is delayed? I keep listen to Music while am waiting