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. Deby F.

    I live in a state that taxes my ss…. This isn’t fair…. Why is this allowed…. How can we change this???

    • Roger S.

      Next time state and local politicians come calling at election time for your vote let them know you don’t cast your vote unless this system is changed. Why waste your time to put them in office for bring no benefit to the people but make them stay in office and become rich!!

  2. Darlene M.

    need to have taxes taken out my S.S. Benefits

    • A.C.

      Hi, Darlene. 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. Rebecca B.

    What about the people on just Social Security and do notm require to file taxes and live on just Social Security, why can’t we get some kind of relief. I am not eligible for the Eitc

  4. Stan

    Y’all get back to me when I don’t have to pay taxes on the taxes y’all collected over the course of my working life.

    • JP

      Exactly, and when we bought anything, we paid tax with money that was already taxed.

  5. Evlyn C.

    So I’m confused about the income tax all the time I was filing my taxes and EITC every time I took the benefits tax paper from social security they always said that I didn’t need it for my taxes so should that income have been used

    Thank you

    • A.C.

      Hi, Evlyn. 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.

  6. Donald D.

    Social Security service needs a complete over-hall. I have NOT received my 2020 refund that was filed 12 months ago. In the meantime others continue to get their monthly SSI and other free payments, but someone who is living within the law and following the rules can’t get what is coming to them. What lousy service regardless of Your excuses, short staff, covid pause, etc.

    • Geoffrey

      Donald, i just got mine by writing to my Congressman as my CPA said that would move it along, 6 days later I had the check in hand, will wonders never cease? I waited over 9 months, like wtf?

  7. Bill S.

    WOW!!! My first time reading this ssa.gov blog. It appears the poor spelling whining Tweeters” have found a another place to whine for one day.

    • Greg W.

      Same thoughts here. Many of the questions are explained through the links.
      Thanks to the IRS for doing a good job even with the poor budget they have.

    • Rose

      Same thoughts. It’s like FB without the cat videos.

      It takes a lot to understand what you need to do to make the most of your retirement and of course, the law changes all the time so the best plans….but young people should talk to a financial planner (fiduciary only) and make the best moves they can. Life throws a lot of curves so you need a Plan A, Plan B, etc.

  8. Coder

    I get the feeling that Stephen is a lying sack of doo-doo. Someone mentions “Christian” and he claims to be Muslim. Someone mentions “cancer” and he claims to have cancer. I think this guy is just a troll, so the best thing you can do is ignore him.

  9. Jon

    It is outrageous that SSA has kept its offices closed, even while most of the rest of America has gone back to work!

    When I call the phone number provided on the silly sign posted outside the closed SSA office, it is impossible to get through a human. A phone message I left was never returned.

    We spend billions on maintaining your systems and your people. The SSA’s lackluster, not to say negligent, performance it unacceptable. And it is one more reason why people have lost faith in our federal government to perform its jobs with a competence that we Americans must deliver every week in our own personal lives, businesses, and professions.

    • Greg

      Ditto! I had the exact same experience! How can I schedule an in-person appointment when no one returns my calls?

  10. Joy A.

    Certainly systems are flawed, humans designed them. However my hometown representative answered within minutes, gave good advice and was respectful and friendly. We worked together with respect and patience to solve a thorny problem. Maybe I’m just lucky, maybe an approach other than anger is the key.

Comments are closed.