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
Comments are closed.
Linda R.
I recently received letter 6475 . How do I recover the balance of my EIP?
A.C.
Hi, Linda. 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!
Deb
I receive SSI and a retirement pension. Do I still have to file taxes.
Bill
That is possible , if your income from those sources exceed the minimum filing threshold amounts , you can use the “Do I need to file” tool on the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return
Also you should file if you didn’t receive the Third Economic Impact Payment #3 issued last March (2021) ($1400 dollars per person)
Mith K.
Please check if your income is above taxable limit . If not , I don’t think filing is required.
A.C.
Hi, Deb. 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.
katherine a.
“Noncitizens who live outside of the United States receive the SSA-1042S instead of the SSA-1099.”
Someone questioned this and so do I? How can a NONcitizen who lives outside of the U.S. receive any form of Social Security benefit?
Peter
With the current administration you should not be surprised by this!
Jeff C.
You really show your stripes as a trumper you fucking idiot. Learn to read investigate and think for yourself before you parrot trumps pathetic bullshit. He is a fucking traitor for God’s sake. Wake up douchebag.
Frank
They are liberals they can cheat the govt like all the others
Joe S.
Wow thats rich coming from an obvious supporter of the MOST CORRUPT POLITICIANS WE HAVE EVER HAD IN THE US…OBVIOUSLY YOU SUPPORT THE PROBLEM AND NOT THE PEOPLE TRYING TO CLEAN UP THE BIG ORANGE MESS!
Vicarious
Ya who was trying to clean up the other big blue messes before him. I don’t support either side. The individual in office was put there like it or not by votes, some of them may have been not quite right but no vote in the past 40 to 50 years has been. Both sides have faults and have lost sight of what and who they truly represent…. WE THE PEOPLE..thank you rant over.
Alan
Obama inherited bush crap worst recession In history or have you let that slip what’s let of your truth dna.
Dee
😍😍😍😍 Amen
Jeff C.
Piss off you fucking douchebag. liberal vs conservative is political distinction dumbass. Its not a real descriptor of people and has no place in forum comments like this so: fuck off you pathetic trump loving piece of human garbage!
Don G.
The last administration was the most corrupt administration in modern American history. He paid no income taxes for 10 of the 15 years before he was elected president, and just $750 a year in 2016 and 2017,
Bill
How many rich people pay their fair share, and this includes both parties, but one of our current administrations big miscues costs taxpayers millions to support incoming people through our open borderpolicy currently in place. We can only support so many people not paying income taxes and getting more benefits than any United States naturally born citien has no matter what their family size.
Mith K.
Social Security is paid to only those who have worked in this country for at least 40 quarters and the employee and employers pay social security taxes. Benefits are commensurate with their income , in other words in proportion of the taxes they have paid. Open border policy etc. is not related to social security payments. US is a country of immigrants and hard working immigrants should not be confused with free loaders . If all immigrants go back to their country , US economy will collapse .
Mary W.
don’t be a fool. They’ve investigated Trump up down and sideways and found NOTHING they can prosecute.
Harry S.
Joe S.
How do you know he supported the Clinton’s?
HarryS
Your income tax is based on a number of factors, and regardless of how wealthy you are, you pay taxes only if you have income in that year. If a billionaire has all his money in a safe position that pays no interest or dividends, he pays no taxes. He paid taxes on his money in the years he earned it. Instead of tax the rich, maybe you should consider tax the drug dealers and not pick on honest people.
Brandy
Where is my money
A.C.
Hi, Brandy. If you do not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks!
Tim S.
Ya Right get a clue, must be woke or Democrat same thing. You should check your facts before you talk.
Mith K.
Social Security is not a dole, it is paid because you and your employer paid social security taxes. Any person working in US pays the taxes and he/she is entitled for this benefit . However it is not paid to those who live in a country where there is no social security scheme. Billions of dollars paid by such people is in the social security coffers, as far as I know.
Alan
Who borrowed from SS.republicans that answers all you need to know
Carol r.
A noncitizen who was married to a citizen receives benefits upon the citizen spouses death.
CJ
They legally worked in the U.S. even though they are citizens of another country is my guess. For example an engineer from the UK.
John M.
If you earn money from a job and pay into SS through payroll deductions, you can qualify for a benefit. There may also be people who moved from the US to other countries for retirement and became citizens of other countries when they did.
Let’s not get political here.
Larry C.
If my residence was sold in 2021 (during the pandemic) 3 months shy of the normal 2 yr requirement to exempt the gain where does it explain the tax liability?
A.C.
Hi, Larry. 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.
Linda N.
I want to know if I can file for spousal benefits. I am disabled and receive SS and SSI totaling $880 a month My husband receive retirement and SS. We have been seperated 25 years.
Jeff C.
Hope you weren’t married for 8 years you lowlife. You are a pathetic joke lady trading on former husband’s SS. What a fucking loser.
Di
I believe so – just talk live to a social security rep. It helps if you know your spouses social security # but can be done without it.
Rebecca D.
I am drawing disability and my retirement. My late husband died in 2016 of Pancreatic Cancer. Can I draw any of his benefits+mine? If so, how do I go about that? I saw that you suggested calling,what number would that be?
A.C.
Hi, Rebecca. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You may be eligible to apply for survivor benefits when she reached age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, there are other factors that may affect your entitlement to these benefits. You can find more information on survivors benefits by visiting our If You Are The Survivor page. For further 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, Linda. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if you qualify for your own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Visit our Benefits Planner for more information. We hope this helps.
A.C.
Hi, Linda. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if you qualify for your own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Visit our Benefits Planner for more information. We hope this helps.
Elaine K.
I live abroad and received a CP501 notice telling me I owed money with no explanation. I have filed taxes the whole time I have lived abroad. I receive ss payments and I also work. I am under the threshold so have never owed money. I have tried many times to call them and a recording says call back when not busy. My accountant has had the same problem. The notification says I owe $1322.00 and was to be paid by 11 Nov 2021. I did not receive the notification until January 2022. How can I get through to the irs to sort the problem. My accountant says she filed a correct return. Any suggestions please?
David L.
I assume you are receiving SS benefits, and if so, is the base amount of your “shortfall” (before interest, estimate fail penalty and pmt fail penalty) equal to the amount of withholding on your SS benefit? I have received this treatment for the third time on three tax years. It finally got resolved for two of the tax periods, but I just received a new one for another tax year. It took over year. And before it resolved, the IRS withheld a stimulus check and a refund. Skip calling, those poor folks have no authority of ANY KIND. And you find that out after just try getting your call l answered then being on hold for up to an hour and 45 minutes. Go straight to Taxpayer Advocacy site! I’m not trying to be disrespectful or hurtful… just sharing my experience.
A.C.
Hi, Elaine. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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.
Mary M.
My Father (born in 1930), passed away in 1989. He worked his whole life. My mother took Social Security at her FRA. Supposedly she was told by a Social Security agent after my father’s passing that because my father died early and she was working that she was not eligible to receive his social security. They were married in 1950. Is this true?
A.C.
Hi, Mary. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Your mother may have been eligible to apply for survivor benefits when she reached age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, there are other factors that may have affected her entitlement to these benefits. You can find more information on survivors benefits by visiting our If You Are The Survivor page. For further specific questions, your mother can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. She can also contact her local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
ernest S.
I receive monthly SSI do I have to file taxes I receive 774 54 per month do I have to file taxes on it and if I do what I receive a refund
ernest S.
I receive Monday SSI payments of 77454 so I have to pay taxes on it or file taxes who would I receive a refund that’s the question I have
Liz B.
SSI is not taxable and you do not need to file an income tax return. If you start a job and have earnings, then you will have to file a tax return.
Audrey d.
I receive a pension of 1,500 dollars and S.S. $1,500 do I have to file taxes on this amount of money
A.C.
Hi, Audrey. 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.
A.C.
Hi, Ernest. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not taxed. For additional 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.
Janette K.
I have a question about working and on SS. My FRA will be Jan 2023. I understand that my limit is $19,560. I’ve also read that “the months before FRA” that the limit increases to$51,960 per the SSA website. My question is when does the months before FRA start-is it the month of my birth, or only the month before, or not applicable to me because my FRA is in Jan of the next year. It is unclear when I read it.
Tha ka for your reply.
A.C.
Hi, Janette. If you are under full retirement age, the earnings limit is $19, 560. In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit, but we only count earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age. If you will reach full retirement age in 2022, the limit on your earnings for the months before full retirement age is $51,960. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you can get your benefits with no limit on your earnings. For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Madison e.
I receive social security. I also received a small amount of back pay after finally being approved. Because taxes weren’t taken out of the back pay amount I now owe more in taxes than I received in back pay and even with having two dependents I still owe a lot more back than I received.