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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Lorrie C.
I have a letter from my previous employer stating my 2021 income was part of a retirement buy out package and not earned wages. Where do i send that letter too? Local office or Regional office?
A.C.
Hi, Lorrie. Thanks for your question. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance and to discuss submission options. We hope this helps.
Cheryl W.
How do I contact someone for info as to why I received an odd and much lesser amount in my account on an earlier date than usual from SS?
On my SS account online the full amount due me is listed, but I received only half of that amount.
Please tell me how I can get this resolved, and thank you.
Barbara
That happened to me too! I have to wait till Monday to call about it. In my case, it might be because my ex-husband just died one week ago (and I just found out), so maybe it’s an extra payment for March, from his benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Cheryl. Thanks for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. For 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.
Kevin o.
I turned 65 last year and I thought my benefits would go up
Diana T.
if you took early retirement, your benefits are determined at that time. you’ll only receive yearly
cost of living raises now, if congress approves one. you can, however, earn 17k a year until you turn 70, i believe?
i hope this was helpful. good luck
A.C.
Hi, Kevin. If a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits for which the person may qualify. On the other hand, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount could increase. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. To learn more read our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. We hope this information helps!
Melissa
Why did I not get my bennifits for April? No notice or anything?
A.C.
Hi, Melissa. Thanks for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you do not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks!
Janice F.
Years ago I made an account with SS I know longer have access to email, not do I remember password. How can I set up new account
Janice F.
I no longer have access to my email account I made years ago for online services for social security, nor do I remember password. Is there anyway I can get help with this. Whenever I try to make a new account I’m told I already have one and to log in with it
A.C.
Hi, Janice. Thanks for your question. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.
Tonya B.
Why is ssi paying, a wife benefit of her decent husband and they know he wasn’t devoted from the first wife. 🤔
K
what are you talking about? Quit snitching for one and for two learn how to spell and ask a correct question. It’s not decent it’s deceased as in dead. Obviously it shows he was married to the lady that is receiving the SSI or she couldn’t get it. Simple as that! It’s not easy to get approved for SSI or SSDI you have to literally have proof of you’re entire existence. You shouldn’t ever be jealous of others but instead do what is best for yourself and benefitting your family. Leave everyone else alone. Also, this is a blog for everyone it’s not the social security office site. That site will always end with .GOV just a heads up.
Joan W.
I agree and she doesn’t realize that if you were married for at least 10 yrs whether or not your divorced or not your entitled to the higher of the two SSI. I have friends who are collecting this.
She unfortunately isn’t informed.
Tony B.
Is this supposed to be helpful??? You wasted too many words projecting your own insecurities trying to drag somebody that it buried useful information under layers of ridicule, shaming, and judgement. The next time you call yourself helping someone, begin and end with the help. Be better than belittling and you might avoid using yourself in the process as this blog also ends in .gov. Nobody wants to be bullied. Just a heads up.
Dave
Hey K.
“your” is spelled “your”, not “you’re”
Spelling deceased as decent indicates that person is probably using a phone or got auto-spellchecked.
YOU’RE right, this is a blog, but it’s the blog.ssa.gov blog. Look at the URL
Reply
Meredy M.
I need to get a copy of my social security benefits of last year. I cannot find the original that was sent. My accountant needs that paper. What’s the best way to get another copy of it?
A.C.
Hi, Meredy. 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. 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.
Angela R.
Anyone else having trouble with denial due to the stimulus money putting the balance above their threshold? My special needs child is being asked to payback over $8,000. Also, the months they paid the beginning and end of the month (4 months since 2020) they are indicating that she had over the recommended amount in her account. Filled out all paperwork and form, sent in bank statements highlighting all the deposits from stimulus and their double payment in a month, and gave them the timeline to each of the payments and when we had to spend it. According to the website, technically we had until May of 2022 to spend it all…… The waiting game is nerve racking…
Deborah M.
Saw where we were suppose to get a COLA during the month of March, yet I have not seen any money come thru. Also I am 70, drawing a check and am still working full time. Am having a large amount taken from each check for ss taxes, will I ever see an increase from this payment?
A.C.
Hi, Deborah. Thanks for visiting our blog. The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2022 began with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries began on December 30, 2021. For more information, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information page. For specific questions, please 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.