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
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Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Laura
I receive aprox $1600.00 monthly from social security (I am 74) and sold my house in may of 2021 so I need to file taxes from what I have been told because the money I received from the house is $50,000.00 and is considered income. How can I get a income report from social security to show what i got from them for the year.
A.C.
Hi, Laura. Thanks for your question. It sounds like you are referring to the SSA-1099, 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. You can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a replacement SSA-1099. We hope this helps.
Sherri S.
So I just got custody of my 6yr grandson..I gained custody of him in May before school let out..can I get the CTC ..the other Grandmother whom had custody of him then is still receiving the money..I’ve had him for 6 months can I draw the money now
A.C.
Hi, Sherri. 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.
blogupadated
thanks for sharing this information https://blogupdated.com/
Ronih N.
Hi my name is Ronih N Chinn and I have put a fraud on my SS and now I don’t remember pls sent me another code thank you.
Ronih N.
Hi my name is Ronih N Chinn I live at 1245 Holloway ave,SF,CA94132-2629 thank you
A.C.
Hi, Ronih. 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
richard k.
I called the Charlotte office ten days ago requesting a form to to let no that I dont need part B of Medicare. I talked to a Mr. Sanders who assured me that he would seen me the proper form to fill out.i have never received.
dave
I hear u man
A.C.
Hi, Richard. We are sorry to hear that. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to 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. You may also find the form you need on our Forms page. We hope this helps.
Michele B.
I received a social security settlement in 2021 for a prior years’ (2019 & 2020) workers comp settlement. The amount in box 5 was not the amount received because a large portion of the payment went to Workers’ Compensation. I should not have to pay tax on the WC’s amount deducted from my payment. How do I rectify this?
Vivian L.
I am on Social Security now I have been on SSI Disability from 2002-2021 and now I can’t work any more do too a bad right leg and bad lungs and I request too be back on SSI where I need more money a month too make it through the whole month $3,787 a month
Vivian L.
I am now on Social Security I was on SSI from 2002-2021 I request too be back on SSI I now can’t work anymore do too a bad right leg and bad lungs I request more money a month too make it through the whole Month $3,787 a month
A.C.
Hi, Vivian. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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.
mel
your lucky i get 797 and have 2 kids and kids dont get benefita either nobody can live on 797 w 2 kids imagine my struggle.good luck
Hari S.
Thanks https://ssa.gov
A.C.
Hi, Michele. 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 helps.
Lisa G.
I receive ssd benefits that currently are lower than $10000 a year. I’m a single woman with no children, no dependents and I’m not required to file taxes. However I repeatedly hear that I should file federal and state and I could possibly qualify for $200 from my state return. As I’m in a seriously low income, (poor class) tax bracket that is a substantial amount of money. Is this false information or should I file taxes?
A.C.
Hi, Lisa. 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. We hope this helps.
bruce
i could not find address for steve garvick web today
Andrew
My in-law lives with us, she got 6,800. In Social security, we would like to add her as a dependent does her benefit count as income?
Chelly b.
That is probably more a question for the IRS. Do you provide over half of her support and can you prove it?
A.C.
Hi, Andrew. 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 helps.
Sonja
Thanks 🤓