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
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Diane D.
Do I include the SS survivor benefits my children receive from their deceased father account as income?
A.C.
Hi, Diane. Thank you for visiting our blog. 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.
Annette R.
To Customer Service, can someone please help me in filing out a tax form for the tax credit for my granddaughter??? She’s only 5 years old. Where can I get the tax form? Thank You, any help would be very much appreciated. Sincerely. Annette Ramirez
A.C.
Hi, Annette. Thanks for visiting our blog. Please visit ChildTaxCredit.gov and read IRS Filing Season 2021 CTC Questions and Answers if you have questions. Learn more about the EITC, including basic qualifications, at the IRS’ Earned Income Tax Credit webpage. Social Security can’t answer CTC or EITC questions. We hope this helps.
Joel T.
How can I obtain a copy of the SSA-1099 form showing Social Security benefit earnings by my wife who is under 70? Neither she nor I ever received a 1099 form summarizing the earnings for tax purposes. My wife called the SSA hotline and was told that these benefits would be under my Social Security Number. However, while I can find the 1099 form for my Social Security earnings on-line under my SSA account, a 1099 form showing my wife’s earnings is nowhere to be find.
A.C.
Hi, Joel. Thanks for visiting our blog. For additional information on how to request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2021, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. Your wife 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 she’s requesting a replacement SSA-1099. We hope this helps.
Cindy M.
Hi I live in New York. I received 680.00 social security. For alimony I get $1,400 a month. Should I get taxes done?
A.C.
Hi, Cindy. Thanks for visiting our blog. You must pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. If you file a joint return, you must pay taxes if you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000. If you are married and file a separate return, you probably will have to pay taxes on your benefits. For more information, visit our Benefits Planner. 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 information is helpful.
Rootter J.
hello! I am retiring early at age 64. I know that my earn is limited. how do I find the list of earn income? is my rental income consider earn income? will it affect my SS benefit? is distribution from my pension consider earn income? will if affect my SS benefit
A.C.
Hi, Rootter. Thanks for your questions. If you are younger than full retirement age and earn more than the yearly earnings limit, we may reduce your benefit amount.If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2022, that limit is $19,560. We don’t count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans benefits, or other government or military retirement benefits. For more information, visit our Receiving Benefits While Working page. We hope this helps.
Sandra D.
I would like to set up for taxes to be taken out of my SSI. check. Where do I set it up.
Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Sandra. 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. Please see our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
Preston H.
How do I have taxes taken out of my check before I receive it
A.C.
Hi, Preston. 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. Please see our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
Patrick
I just recently started receiving SSD. I received a check for the last year and a half back pay I guess is what it is called, my question is I live in Florida, will I have to pay a tax on the money I received? Also my spouse still works and earns about $35,000 per year . Should we file separately or jointly or will it make a difference on what we owe, if anything? Thank you for any advice !!!
A.C.
Hi, Patrick. Thanks for visiting our blog. For federal tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or you can visit their website. For state tax questions, you will need to contact your State Tax Commission or Department of Revenue. We hope this helps.
K g.
Do I have to pay federal income tax on my SS or state tax. Live in Massachusetts
A.C.
Hi, K G. You must pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. If you file a joint return, you must pay taxes if you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000. If you are married and file a separate return, you probably will have to pay taxes on your benefits. For more information, visit our Benefits Planner. For federal tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or you can visit their website. For state tax questions, you will need to contact your State Tax Commission or Department of Revenue We hope this information is helpful.
Karen g.
Do I have to pay federal or state tax on my sa. Just recently moved to MA
Cheri
How do I set up taxes to be taken out of my social security check?
A.C.
Thanks for your question, Cheri. 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. Please see our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
Eileen E.
I I receive my SS monthly by SS direct deposit.
I learned that at least my Drug Part D and perhaps my monthly Social Security medical costs? are removed before the net SS is deposited into my local bank account. I am having difficutly determining that process and have set on the line LONG with SSA. Help
A.C.
Hi, Eileen. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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.
A.C.
Hi, Karen. 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. For state tax questions, you will need to contact your State Tax Commission or Department of Revenue. We hope this helps.