General, Taxes

Tax Season: What To Know If You Get Social Security or Supplemental Security Income

February 8, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 4 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Tax seasonIt’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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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Bridget G.

    My daughter father is deceased, but at the time of his passing, he owed over 25k in back pay child support. My daughter is currently 26 years old, so is there away I can claim money from his social security since he is no longer a live? Or does the government keep his earnings?

  2. Jerry P.

    If the money on your 1099 form does not match the money in bank statement. But s.s says it is there then where the money it not my acct.

    • K.O.

      Hi, Jerry. For your security, we do not have access to private information at this venue. We ask that members of our Blog community continue to work directly with their local offices for answers to 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. We hope this helps.

  3. Anonymous

    Someone needs to take down comments with personal info. It is kinda sad seeing that up here for all to see.

  4. John A.

    I have been trying on line , by phone and with primal screams to get a duplicate of my 1099 statement which I misplaced this year . I am 90 and your records hate me for taking up so much time . The time I spend trying to get this form is a total waste. Most of the responses indicate you do not recognize me except for bill

    • A.C.

      Hi, John. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For 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.

  5. Elaine S.

    I do receive SSA retirement benefits and would like to report my Schedule C for self employment as a real estate agent. I am over the $18,000 so I know I will have to re-pay some.
    How do I report this income on my Schedule C?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Elaine. If your earnings have not already been reported, 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.

  6. Adrian M.

    I applied for disability. I when through the phONE call. Answered some questions. The workers said I was approved. That i would receive some papers about my case. It’s been a year now since I filed . I tried calling the office do to my concerns. There busy.i would like some information about my case , and what’s going on that’s for the most part. I can really use some money if they have sent me anything in the mail already. Don’t want to miss anything.

    • Adrian M.

      559-598-8624
      My cell phone number.
      To contact me any time a day.
      Thank You.

      • Tiffany J.

        Oh no please remove your number , it’s really not safe. A scammer could see it and that wouldn’t be good.

  7. Diane

    I need to know how I can get Federal taxes withheld on my monthly benefit. Can I do this on-line? I can’t find the form W-4V

    Thank You~

    • A.C.

      Hi, Diane. Thanks for your question. In order to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.

  8. sheila g.

    i am divorced and currently applying for disability. My ex husband is drawing disability. He remarried but I have not.
    We were married 14 years, divorced over 25 years ago
    Am i eligible to collect any benefit. I’m 64 and we have no children under 18

    • A.C.

      Hi, Sheila. Thanks for visiting our blog. It sounds like you are asking if you will be eligible for divorced spouse’s benefits. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit our Benefits Planner. We hope this helps. 

  9. Kaz

    Good day,

    My daughter gets benifits on my retirement. She is 15 and 3/4 and is applying for a part-time job –3 hrs a few days a week. Should I or when do I notify the SSA of her earnings.

    Thank you,

    Cheers,

    Kaz

    • A.C.

      Hi, Kaz. Thanks for your question. Since she is younger than full retirement age during all of 2022, we would deduct $1 from her benefits for each $2 she earns above $19,560. If her earnings will exceed $19,560, let us know right away. Check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, for more information. We hope this helps. 

  10. Blessie

    How do I go about having federal taxes taken out of my monthly SS benefits? Based on my form 1099 for 2021, no federal taxes were taken out. Thank you.

    • Donna

      I have the same question. Did you get an answer?

      • K.O.

        Hi Donna. To have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, start by printing, completing, and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). You can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Blessie. Thanks for your question. In order to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.

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