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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Ernestine D.
I received information from SS and they stated that if my only source of income is SS than I do not have to file income tax. Have I understood this correctly? Since my husband passed in 2008, SS has been my only Income. And to be truthful it isn’t much to live on. I have been filing income tax since then and when I went to Jackson Hewitt here they charged me $400 to file. My only refund was $112.00 each time.
Liz B.
Yes, if your only income is SS, then you do not need to file an income tax return……..Are you receiving your deceased Husband’s SS benefit??? You are entitled to the larger amount between your own or his…..
If I were you, I would go back to Jackson-Hewitt and demand your money back!!!! If they refuse accuse them of fraud and turn them in to your State Attorney General….If you are getting $112.00 back they must be withholding some Federal tax out of your SS Benefits. Look at your 1099 and it will show you that.
You can get your $112.00 back by using Turbo-tax and it is free.
A.C.
Hi, Ernestine. You must pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. If you file a joint return, you must pay taxes if you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000. If you are married and file a separate return, you probably will have to pay taxes on your 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 helps.
Claudette C.
This is the first year that I have gone up in my amount for S.S. I went from $365 to $368.
One of my friends said that I would be eligible to get part of my Husband’s disability check.
When I inquired they said I was not eligible because I started collecting at 62. At no time when I applied at 62 was I made aware of that fact.
I feel as if I am being punished!
John
My understanding is you are eligible for the survivor benefit which is the larger of your’s or your deceased spouse’s benefit
Evelyn
John, that was incorrect. Her husband is still alive, just disabled. If is her husband is still living, she is not entitled to the larger amount. If one spouse becomes deceased, the living spouse will receive the larger amount of SS. If they both are living and both are age 65 or more, and her SS is less than 60 % of what he receives, she may be entitled to more SS. SSA will figure that amount.
Willie A.
I think its very good that those who receive SSI, or any of the other SS benefits that qualify them for extra income when filing their taxes, but I don’t understand why I don’t get to enjoy any other benefits when I am still working and paying income taxes along with federal taxes. If there is an answer please share it with me.
Wayne B.
What benefits were you hoping to receive, Willie?
Jay B.
Hey Willie!
Be glad you are able to work!
The only extra income you feel they are getting is only tax credits that are refundable if more than the tax owed & they are the same credits (earned income credit & child tax credit) that you would get even though you are working if you had children or a low enough income with children (or low enough income after I believe age 65 even without children)!
You would get these credits same as them IF YOU QUALIFIED the same as they have to!
You could me & my husband.
I’ve been totally disabled since 2014 and make a whopping $966 a month on SSDI.
My husband has worked his tail end off for 31 years to make a decent income (not rich by any means).
Because he makes over the limit as my spouse (last I looked it was $38,000) they add my yearly $12,000 to his income & then take back $2000-$3000 of what he should get back in taxes (as the tax on my SSDI)!
Our child is grown so no child tax credit & we make too much for earned income credit or homestead credit.
You could be like us & owe the government a few thousand because one of us worked their but off to make $50K a year & the other worked as many years as they could til they unexpectedly became totally disabled!
Be grateful you can physically & mentally work! At least you can work overtime or pick up a part time job to stay afloat! My husband is working every extra hour he can & there isn’t anything I can do to help.
Not everyone on social security and social security disability is being given an opportunity for extra tax credits & many of us are having a huge chunk of our yearly incomes taken back by the government.
Pretty sad when we work hard all those years & pay into the social security system to end up unable able to work & be given not even a third of our monthly net pay that we made previously to live off from. Then we pay almost $200 of the little we get for Medicare which still leaves us with prescription costs in the hundreds every single month!
I make below a thousand a month for disability & thank the lord I have my husbands health insurance!
Without that my prescriptions would be $700-$800 a month on Medicare!
Yes be very happy you are working and only paying in to the system what you are!
When you become disabled or too elderly to work they are gonna take you for far more than they do now!
Taro H.
I have a question 🤔 if I am apart of “ticket to work program” from Social Security Administration will I be able to get EITC if I worked in 2021 and a disabled Worker?
A.C.
Hi, Taro. Thanks for visiting our blog. Learn more about the EITC, including basic qualifications, at the IRS’ Earned Income Tax Credit webpage. Social Security can’t answer EITC questions. We hope this helps.
Sara H.
My daughter filed her 2020 taxes and was to get a refund in the form of a paper check. In the meantime she moved and did not put in a forwarding address. Needless to say she did not receive her refund. Last month she put in a change of address and requested the refund to be direct deposited. How can she check on the status of her refund. It is impossible to reach the IRS 800 number.
Liz B.
First she needs to set up an on-line IRS account at the following link:
https://sa.www4.irs.gov/secureaccess/ui/?TYPE=33554433&REALMOID=06-0006b18e-628e-1187-a229-7c2b0ad00000&GUID=&SMAUTHREASON=0&METHOD=GET&SMAGENTNAME=-SM-u0ktItgVFneUJDzkQ7tjvLYXyclDooCJJ7%2bjXGjg3YC5id2x9riHE98hoVgd1BBv&TARGET=-SM-http%3a%2f%2fsa%2ewww4%2eirs%2egov%2fola%2f
She then should be able to check the status of her refund there.
She must file Form 8822 to change her address with the IRS.
Kirsti L.
She can go to the IRS website and search for where’s my refund. She’ll need her SSN the year and the exact amount of the refund.
A.C.
Hi, Sara. We are sorry to hear this. For tax questions, you daughter will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or she can visit their website. We hope this helps.
Janette B.
I am a US citizen, currently abroad.
I received the 1st & 2nd stimulus payments.
The third payment went to the wrong address and was returned to IRS. I have written three letters to IRS in 2021 explaining, but have received absolutely no response. How can I resolve this from abroad??
Barbara
I believe If you file your 2021 taxes and give them your new address and it will ask if you received the stimulus check and amount, you then can claim the amount you didn’t receive.
Theresa
Yes just file taxes,even if you do not need to it’s to get that missed payment
Liz B.
You must fill out and file Form 8822 to change your address. then file a 2021 return and claim the missing stimulus payment.
A.C.
Hi, Janette. 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!
Leslie W.
I’m 49 and disabled with multiple ailments. However, I’m in love and want to marry my 37 year old lover. He’s incarcerated and I’m not sure of how marriage would affect my benefits (SSI, Housing and food stamps)!! Any true legal info is needed. Thanks for all valuable credible “pathways”!
A.C.
Hi, Leslie. If you receive retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect your benefit. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), local or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect your benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Jen
I am on Ssd, not sure if the answer is here but I filed last year, only because I didn’t receive 1/2 stimulus.. I received a reason why, and not knowing I could if filed for free, the tax agent charged me over 100$ and she must of entered my info wrong, saying ss# was wrong or I make over 75k, I am not sure who to contact about this I have tried everywhere !!
Barbara
I would contact the agency that filed your taxes.
A.C.
Hi, Jen. We are sorry to hear that. 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 D.
Yes My name is Lisa I was wondering about my Stimulas check that would have made a big difference in getting my work completed around the house that is I n bad shape and think someone is robbing me of my income , What do I do when turning in a lawsuit of theft in the past and then other attempts to rob again?I just had oral surgery and have to go back again my eyes ears and blood well its just a big issue then my other problems isn’t there away to protect my investment without others trying to steel them away? Ive lost so much time I planned for my children and lies are so despicable that im just fed up, I guess my Question is how can I recive the money I should be,and keep my matters from getting into the wrong hands people have been rotten and im sick of it, I want my money and I want it now!!!!
A.C.
Hi, Lisa. 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!
Eloise h.
I a m retired an on social security how