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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Danny
I was over paid last six months 21 and will be sending SSA a check. How do I handle the taxes on the “over paid” part?
A.C.
Hi, Danny. For any income 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.
Christopher A.
Could you help me to know how to get my Colorado state identification number for my taxes please
A.C.
Hi, Christopher. We do not issue state identification numbers only Social Security numbers. You will need to contact the State of Colorado. Thanks!
Vanessa B.
i am 67 yrs old. i don’t qualify for the CTC, nor do I qualify for EITC. The 5.9% cost of living increase sounded really good until medicare increased it insurance cost, copays went up to $85 for certain tests. Gas and food costs increased and my rent is going up. Wheres the help for those of us who worked for 40 yrs and are barely living
above the poverty line?
Brad S.
I don’t want to go paperless!!! I don’t have a printer and just not very computer savvy…can I keep things the way they are?? Where you continue to mail me all my tax stuff etc.!!!! Please help me with this issue…
Kathryn R.
Brad, once you login to your SS account, there is a button you can click to request a paper SS statement in the mail. But if you don’t have an online SS account, I think they will have to communicate with you by mail.
A.C.
Hi, Brad. Unless you opt out of mailed notices, you will continue to receive notices by mail, including the Social Security annual cost-of-living adjustment and the income-related monthly adjustment amount benefit rate increase. We hope this helps.
Amanda s.
My names amanda spegal I got a debit card derict express card and I can use it it don’t read at the store and I can only get 20$ off and then it say iv excedd my about so I end up having to send it to paypal to my room mate to get it off there.I can’t call for a new one someone stole my phone and changed my pass word to my email so I can’t check it to get a number or something like that and I can get a code to my email or to my phone so can you help me. And on m y card it says -65.00 I can’t use it its in my account but why is it I can do nothing with it I need my gard fixed or a new one please and thank u
A.C.
Hi, Amanda. We’re sorry to hear about the issues you are experiencing. Please contact Direct Express Customer Service by visiting their website or you can call their toll-free number listed on the back of your card for assistance.
For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. To discuss the activity on your account, you’ll need to continue contacting your financial institution. We hope your situation is resolved soon.
Terry
Hello I’ve been trying for over a year and halp to start getting the correct payment sent to me. Please help. I have no income and might b homeless soon. Thanks
Kathryn R.
Call your Congress person’s local office on Monday morning and ask for help.
A.C.
Hi, Terry. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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 case specific concerns. 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.
Timothy H.
Why wait till November of 2021 to tell me I won’t be getting my disability any longer, I would be getting a retirement check in December but that I wouldn’t get
until the end of January.
Christmas, two Birthdays without a month of income
was glad that I had put money back and my Wife had too.
S. A.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the social security Act on Aug. 14, 1935. The law created a program that would pay monthly benefits to retired workers starting at age 65 or older. The act established a payroll tax to fund the program. The combined net worth of the 2020 class of the 400 richest American was 3.2 trillion, up from 2.7 trillion in 2017. There were 614 billionaires. “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”-Robinson. “If you’re in the luckiest 1% of humanity, you’re to it to the rest of humanity to them about the other 99%”-Warren Buffett.
“The biggest way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”- Mahatma Gandhi.
Steve S.
I am not able to get a replacement 1099 by using “replacement documents” in my social security account. I am not able to get anyone by using your 1-800 number. I am not able to get to the “help desk” on the phone. How can I get my SSA 1099?
George T.
Steve;
………..go to your local SS office and state your case. I too am still waiting for my SS 1099 which was mailed to me last year. I too am planning a visit to my local office to try and receive the SS 1099 so that I can file my income tax return for 2021.
Sidney T.
Steve S.
When I had such issues I contacted my Congress(wo)man.
I have always had good results doing so. You should be treated the same regardless of how you voted or what party you do or do not belong to.
Try it.
Sidney
A.C.
Hi, Steve. We are sorry to hear that. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. 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. 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.
Timothy L.
I just started getting ssi last year and I never got my tax forms so I can file my taxes. I need my tax forms.
A.C.
Hi, Timothy. It sounds like you are referring to the SSA-1099, a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. You can request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021 by visiting your personal my Social Security account. 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. 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.