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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
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
Comments are closed.
Diann A.
Is there a.
web site that I use to get my tax forms online
Ida R.
If you were born in 1955, and are still working full time, can you draw your social security payments, and would they be taxable income?
A.C.
Hi, Ida. Thanks for your question. If you were born in 1955, your full retirement age is 66 and 2 months. When you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. However, 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.
A.C.
Hi, Diann. 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.
Lawrence A.
How is Medicare part B paid for? for people who receive SSI
A.C.
Hi, Lawrence. Thanks for your question. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. For those eligible for SSI and Medicare, the state helps pay for Medicare premiums. They may also qualify for Extra Help to pay for their Medicare prescription drug coverage. For more information, please visit Medicare’s Medicare Savings Programs page. We hope this information helps.
Lee H.
Why wouldn’t a Representative Payee be allowed to use the finally check to help pay for funeral arraignments of a client. Say for instant when someone decease at the end of the month. After all what it seems like is social security checks are a little behind. An April 1, payment is a March payment .
A.C.
Hi, Henry. We are sorry to hear of your loss. This may not be the news you were hoping to hear, but we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To be eligible for Social Security benefits, a person has to live throughout the entire month to receive his or her check. Therefore, when a person passes away, Social Security benefits are not payable for the month in which a beneficiary dies. This applies whether the person dies on the first or the last day of the month. Certain eligible family members may be able to receive monthly survivor benefits. For more information on this, please read our publication, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.
Kelly B.
Would like to know why my benefits suddenly stopped? I haven’t received anything in the mail I have received messages that are a recording but I delete them cause I know they’re acams
A.C.
Hi, Kelly. 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 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.
Cris D.
I have not received a 2021 SSA-1099 for my parent who passed away in 2021.
I need to do their taxes for 2021.
I am unable to reach anyone by phone. The website does not allow this to be downloaded.
I even attempted to go to a Social Security office but was told they are unable to assist.
What do I do? This is very frustrating.
A.C.
Hi, Cris. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The SSA-1099 is mailed to the last address in our records and is intended for the spouse or executor of the deceased. If you did not receive the benefit statement, you will need to contact your local Social Security office with proof of death and proof of executorship. An SSA-1099 can also be given to someone receiving benefits on the deceased beneficiary’s record such as a spouse, parent, or child of the deceased. If you need more information, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative for assistance. We hope this helps.
Melissa A.
Need SSI card ASAP.It it is for me to turn in to Metropolitan Housing of Licking County. I can not move in until I get back this document. So I will be homeless in a wheelchair until this happens, so please try to be quick and efficient. Thanks 😊
A.C.
Hi, Melissa. We are sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like you are referring to a replacement Social Secuirty card. To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. Keep in mind all submitted documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency and must (unless otherwise indicated) have been issued within the last two years. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We hope this helps.
Marjorie D.
I am POA for my mother who has Alzheimers and she probably got her tax documentation but did not give it to me and I cannot find it at her Assisted Living facility. How do I get a replacement?
A.C.
Hi, Marjorie. Thank you for visiting our blog. Please note that having a Power of Attorney does not give you legal authority to manage payments for someone receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. If your mother needs help managing her benefits, you may be interested in applying to become her representative payee. As a representative payee, you will have access to your mother’s records and the ability to request her account information.
An interview is required when applying to be someone’s representative payee. If your mother cannot be present, a statement from her doctor would be helpful. The statement should say that your mother is not able to -mentally and physically- manage her Social Security benefits and identify you as the person responsible to keep her finances in order.
Please read our publication, A Guide For Representative Payees, for more information. If you have specific questions, or to make an appointment with the local Social Security office, please call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and speak to one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Nino d.
I am unable to contact Social Security either by computer or phone. The system will not allow me to set up a SSA Account. No one picks up the phone when I call (for hours a day over several weeks) I need a SSA – 1099. i need it to do my taxes. If I can’t get one, then what can I do instead?.
I drove one hour to the SS office for my area and could not get in the door because I didn’t have an appointment How is it even possible;e for me to get an appointment? I took a note for the security guard to give to an agent, but he wouldn’t do this HELP
Mary
This problem happened to me. Difference is I got thru to the national number and the customer service said she could find me in the system either so she can’t help and gave me the professional “sorry this is happening”. So I search out the local office direct number and called. That person check and saw the computer had blocked my info. I was put on hold for 40 mins and the solution was to delete any entry to start over but I had to agree to it before it could be done. Wait til next day for computer to catch up and I was able to set up an account and all my work info was still in the system. So try calling the local office direct but in the middle of the week to get through. My problem started 3/29/22.
A.C.
Hi, Nino. We are sorry to hear that. 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.
Susan R.
If I have no income, but get social security disability, am I required to file taxes?
HERMAN J.
We pay a very large amount to the IRS taxes every year. My social security check does not have any federal income tax withheld not does my wife. Our accountant says that we can lessen this tax bill at the end of the year by having federal taxes withheld. We would like to do this. How can we have federal income taxes withheld?
A.C.
Hi, Herman. 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.