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. DEBORAH C.

    How do I get tax deduction from my SSI

    • A.C.

      Hi, Deborah. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are not taxed. If you want 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.

  2. Ralph B.

    How do I request taxes to be withheld from SS?

    • Jim K.

      I can’t figure that out either. I’ve been on hold for quite some time.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Ralph. 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.

  3. Elaine T.

    Why do some companies go far beyond the January 31 deadline for sending out 1099-R’s?

  4. Víctor M.

    Como puedo aplicar por beneficios en este momento estoy en México

  5. Diane C.

    What about disabled people! We seem to be left out of all the tax credits

    • dan

      yes we are left out. only democrat voting illegals can get all of so call benefit’s

      • Melania T.

        I’m sorry, Good Sir, did you wake to realize there wasn’t going to be a Capitol to invade this morning & now you’re grumpy?

        • Margit

          i thought the people who stormed the capitol were a mix of idealogies, some left and some right

          • Carl

            Um,no. Far right ideology,Qanon,and hateful people. These people were declaring that the election was
            “stolen” and that trump was the actual winner. He was not,and the recounts showed he indeed lost.

    • Carla

      The tax credit is for families with children. Children. Disability got a cost of living increase in 2022 along with people on plain Social Security

  6. Laura L.

    Seriously? “Hours” that a website is accessible? WHY? It’s 2 in the morning and I’d like to access my file. I need specific hours to log on? Yikes.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Laura. We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to use all of our online services today. Due to scheduled systems maintenance, some of our Online Services were unavailable during certain times.

  7. Diane H.

    Payee Representative Report includes both SSA and SSI, not just SSA?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Diane. Social Security’s Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Payees may receive an annual Representative Payee Report to account for the benefit payments received. For more information, please visit our Representative Payee home page. Thanks! 

  8. Nels A.

    As I am earning Social Security benefits and am still working full time the Monies taken from my paycheck is that deductable from my total on my SSA-1099. Also does that reflect in my earnings history to increase my monthly benefit

    • A.C.

      Hi, Nels. 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. 

      Also, as long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. For more details, visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page. We hope this information is helpful.

  9. Dolores O.

    I was married and had a daughter with him .we stayed together about 5 yrs but divorced after 17 yrs.can I still claim his social security since he is disabled and married to someone else?

    • Tina D.

      if yyou were divorce I pretty sure you can. I wish I could tell were it is written down cause I just read about this

    • A.C.

      Hi, Dolores. Thanks for your question. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, be age 62 or older, 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. 

  10. Connie

    I was receiving social security disability and SSI they took my SSI away because I got married so would I get more in my social security disability check

    • A.C.

      Hi, Connie. 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.

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