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
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Robert A.
I get $280 taken out of my check because I love with a family member but I pay rent it’s in kind support a total acrobat rule but it’s been 25 years since the updated laws for disability. Joe Biden ran in changing it and eliminate old laws he ran on that promise so if he does nothing he is the planetary day America is a shot hole we punish people with disabilities! I can’t think of a worse.thing and to the politicians who won’t help update disability laws and obvious bias rules, then they should get fast tracked to tell when they die!
Wendy W.
My local Social Security Office has made a huge mistake and they are refusing to admit it or talk to me. I was told that subscribing to the MySocialSecurity portal would allow me to see relevant records and get help; it doesn’t provide either. Even ADA won’t help. My only recourse seems to be contacting my congressman. Where is accountability? Compassion?
A.C.
Hi, Wendy. We are sorry to hear that. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Leslie
Nuclear war might fix it . . .
Tom T.
Shame on you!!!!!
R R.
Nuclear war is the end of the world those that survive the initial blast will only have contaminated food water etc and will get radiation sickness and some deadly form of cancer Death will be slower but not any less pleasant. Nuclear war will inevitably kill all of us. Term limits with removal of retirement benefits and yes time for Congress to have the same health care as they see fit to give us is long overdue.
JON W.
THESE TYRANTS ARE ONLY IN IT TO PAD THEIR OWN POCKETS. YOU CAN BET THAT WHEN THEY RETIRE THEY DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM, EVERYTIME THE PRICE OF GAS AND FOOD AND UTILITIES GO UP. IT’S BECOME A WEEKLY SHOCK EVERYTIME I GO TO THE STORE.
Reginald E.
Amen
Rc
Yes!
Tena L.
Yea, we went grocery shopping, and it was 300.00. We bought the same stuff, and it usually is 150.00.
Citizen
OMG what do you buy? Food prices have not gone up 100%!
Jason L.
Thank you for your help.
janis m.
I would like to know why the people of the government think we can live on SS. They pated themselves on the back when we got that whopping 5.9% COLA adjustment. That’s a joke. They think they did something so good and said it was the highest in what 40 years I think I saw. Said we’d get an increase of about 92.00 a month-WHOHOO and then think about the higher medicare premium so that wipes out our little 92.00 extra a month. These people have got to be the dumbest on this planet. The problem is the government and everyone that works for them doesn’t give two cents about the American people. They’re only out for themselves. I’m over 70 years old and am still having to work full time because the government is stealing all of our money and putting it into their own pockets. Aren’t you people tired of the government stealing our money? I sure am. We need to get rid of ALL the OLD people in government and start over again.
Also I agree with everyone who says SS shouldn’t be taxed, we’ve already paid taxes on it so now we’re being doubled tax. Just remember all those taxes go into the governments pockets to waste.
David H.
Social Security was meant to supplement other income which people have, not to be the only income people rely on. That means it is inadequate for people who don’t have other retirement savings. Maybe there should be a provision to increase the amount of social security a person gets if they don’t have other income.
Ed
You’re applying the grasshopper philosophy rather than the ant philosophy. We are responsible for our lives. When we rely on government to provide what we should have done, we are screwed! The nine most feared words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help”!
Jim A.
David is correct. Social Security is only meant as supplemental income. It is also, basically a legal “ponzi scheme”. If any private entity set their investment strategy this way they would be in jail.
Needs reform ASAP. Raise the retirement age gradually to 70 and the age to receive early benefits from 62 to 64 or 65.
No real courage by most of our politicians to attack the problem head on until it’s too late.
John
David your absolutely right. It’s just in [ADDITION]. If you spent your early time spending all your 💰 on having a good time, (booze, cars, chasing others, etc..etc.) and are now relying on Uncle Sam to pick up the tab. Maybe start asking for senior discounts. And budget what you have. Galatians 6:7. Pickup the manual. BIBLE (“B”asic “I”nstructions “B”efore “L”eaving “E”arth 🌎 ) .
Quit whining and get out of your chair.
Arm chair 💺 warriors are not very helpful. They mostly complain.
Discipline is required.
🐬
Mario R.
I would have preferred to have been given the option to opt out of everything. Imagine what what kind of compound interest earned on such faithful ‘savings’ would have be made. Earnings that belonged to me and only me.
citizen
Mario,
The SS provides you with a list of your past annual payments into SS. Apply a present value formula and see what the current value was at your retirment date (hint MS Excel has the formula). Then look up your expected life in years and compute what the annual benefit payout would be (use the same interest rate you used to compute the current value.) Then compare with the annual SS payment you are receiving. You will find the SS payment is higher. (Note: I am a finance guy.)
V. G.
Hi John,
This is my first reading what is being said, I worked from the age of fifteen, paid into the system. You mention discipline,
I’m from NYC, where rent can be $5,000 a month for one room, many people sometimes work more than one job just to keep a roof over their head and food on the table, sometimes while raising kids, can’t even buy a soda, much less booze, out of that paycheck, pays health insurance because in America is not free like some countries, Canada and Europe. In America once you work is hard to get help from the government unlike the UK that provide assistance until the child turn 18, how can you save? The USA are quick to help others faster with your tax dollars than American or even they veterans. The other day they went got the Afghanistan out, not only the translators and house some on military bases free and yet soldiers who fight war overseas are unable to received good medical care, are homeless, seniors who work mostly all their life and paid SS, go hungry, at times unable to buy medication that maybe those same congressman have investment in pharmaceutical company. Who needs discipline are the people in power that are all millionaires on your taxes, invest in Wall street, where sometimes they get the heads up on stocks, then feed us lies, we drink the kool aid, keep them in power while the do nothing for the masses, and we don’t hold them accountable. Keep the mass divided to stay in power; at this point they have no real care for country. We need to stop attacking each other and vote the millionaires out, is not a Republican or a Democratic problem is an American problem.
I’m just responding to what I read, I would say I’m lucky because my husband is from Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Bases, I.
I agree with most of what the blogger said. Except, I disagree that no social security income should be taxed. My recommendation is any one whose total income age 65+ is less than $50,000 should not be taxed. Unlike the other blogger who has decided that those of us who pre retirement income didn’t allow investments or had no financial access to 401k, he/she doesn’t understand or at least care about the working class,
Tom T.
You say remove all the OLD politicians. More importantly, pay attention to who you vote for and who supports the social security and Medicare programs. I am not in favor of career politicians but it is some of those OLD politicians that have protected these programs and would improve them if they could get the legislation passed.
Karen
We are not taxed on the SS when they take it out of our paychecks. The idea is that we will be in a much lower tax bracket when we begin to draw SS. However, the cost of living and Medicare costs are wiping out our ability to live on SS. The Congress doesn’t care because they have created massive retirement and medical benefits for themselves. I doubt anyone in Congress lives on SS or uses Medicare!!
Chris G.
Correct.
sharon N.
you are so right! who pays their pay checks and medical………..tax payers! its ok with them if elderly people have to choose food or meds!!!!!!!! shameful! then you have people like Nancy Pelosi who brags about her rich/ expensive ice cream and refrigerator. she isn’t the only one, if we pay for ours they can pay for theirs! put more in our pocket
jon d.
was never meant for one to live on only form of income.. that has beeen and never wastrue.
sorry.
Marie M.
I agree so should not be taxed and even though I appreciated the 5.9% cola, my medicare was raised so it ends up being less.
Tena L.
Can we sign up for Obama care? I checked and I would only have to pay 49.00 a month and I know people on it they say it is cheaper than what Medicare pays. They never get a bill, even when they have had surgery and their meds are all covered.
Rick f.
Yes but still have to pay the 170 part b
Lateira M.
Exactly 💯 sure we got an increase but inflation so high it doesn’t help at all… also why do the prisoners get the stimulus I only received 1 stimulus check and now the illegal immigrants are getting more money than we the people worked for paid in legally…. hmmm.
CR K.
Government office holders are not smart but they think we are dumber. Here’s a question I would like to ask each one of them.
Do you think people will believe in what you say because
A) You think we are dumb
B) You are that dumb to think we will believe you
C) All of the above
John
Read my reply to David.
Barbara H.
I agree with you whole heartedly!!! From the president on down should all be FIRED!!!!!
Esther Z.
you are 100% right!
Glen
I don’t know Janis. It sounds like there’s a lot of complainers here. SS has helped me considerably. If everyone kept every penny they earned working, we would be driving on dirt roads, drinking out of a river, many would not be able to afford school, and we would have been destroyed by Russia or China years ago. It’s a pretty easy life here. I am only thankful.
AGS
Finally more than a complaint against the government, which is still more democratic than in many other countries and anything that Trump could imagine. BUT why not have billionaires share their wealth with the people who produced their wealth? Why not have a minimum income for children and everyone who has worked for some time–maybe the years from 18-22–in our subsistence economy?
Ricardo C.
Is my online name and password the same for the “my Social Security” account or do I have to create a ‘my Social Security” account? I was trying to get my SSA 1099 and could not find it when I logged in.
A.C.
Hi, Ricardo. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you created a personal my Social Security account before September 18, 2021 and you are still are unable to access your account, please our dedicated my Social Security Hotline at 1-800-772-1213, and say “helpdesk” at the voice prompt. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). For additional 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. Our automated services are available 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a replacement SSA-1099. We hope this helps.
Lorrie l.
I receive SSI benefits which is 750 not 780 like others because I tried to work and they now subtract money on my ssi because I worked. I get that people who worked for their whole lives deserve their money. I don’t like not being able to work so I have to either live with my son or in a care facility. What kind of life is that. I live in poverty. But in saying these things I realize that I do have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I have a son who has been a Godsent in my life. The big thing for me is that I have a God in my life that helps me through the tough times. May God bless you all.
evelyn k.
ME TOO! I can’t believe we are TAXED on something that we already paid taxes on paid out of our own hard earned money. I agree with everything you said Lady!
Nate
It’s all a scam, we give them money all our lives so they can give illegal aliens free health care, food stamps and a place to live paid for with your money and mine.
SDB
Come on, who told you that? It’s just NOT TRUE!! BS about “illegal aliens” is just a LIE the Right wing spreads to get people on their side. Try reading reputable, verifiable sources of information, rather than social media rumors. THINK before you believe some BS that happens to align with your previous thoughts. Thanks
Thomas N.
Then why don’t you tell us how they are getting the money for health care and housing and food. If they are here illegally then they should have to fend for themselves. Just keep watching CNN
Tom T.
You are saying you can’t work because your ssi will be taxed? You are not taxed on ssi if you don’t have other earned income. If you work, there is still an exemption of around $18000 income before the ssi is taxed. Where do you think the money would come from if nobody paid taxes?
Pat B.
You must not have worked too much because SSI is the part of social security that pays if you do not have enough credits in to get regular social security dis. or reg social sec. IESSD or are old enough to get SS.
Jim W.
God Bless you, Lorrie! And may your son continued to be Blessed also. He’s an Angel sent to take care of you!
Jim
Rose
Good luck to you, Lorrie. Best wishes.
Charlotte B.
I wonder why my benefits are so small when I earned much more than I receive. I was a teacher who spent many years working several jobs in order to support my daughters. I paid social security taxesmoved frequently and had leser salaries as a result. for much longer than 40 quarters. Politicians always say they will take care of those of us who worked and paid SS taxes– mostly teachers, fire fighters and police. As a military spouse during Viet Nam era, I earned less as I relocated frequently, lost pay raises as a result. THIS IS NOT FAIR.
Tammyc
I agree, I think the same thing. I have a college degree and worked as an R.N. for years.
Ruth M.
I’m over 65 and have no dependent children. How do I , and people in my situation, qualify for tax benefits if we don’t pay taxes on our SSA checks?
Richard G.
I don’T understand any of this tax paperework if i am intitled to some kind of return please help me with this and and any other tax return that i should send in to the RIS. THINKYOU Richard R green
A.C.
Hi, Richard. 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.