Is social security income taxable?

Your Social Security benefits may be taxable by the IRS. This is usually the case if you receive other income such as wages, self-employment earnings, interest, dividends, rental income, etc.

You can only pay federal income tax on up to 85 percent of your Social Security benefits.
 
The amount that is taxable is based on the following:
 
Single Filers with a combined income (adjusted gross income, plus nontaxable interest, plus ½ of Social Security benefits)...
...between $25,000 - $34,000 pay income tax on up to 50 percent of benefits
...more than $34,000 pay income tax on up to 85 percent of benefits
 
Joint Filers with a combined income (see above for calculation)...
...between $32,000 - $44,000 pay income tax on up to 50 percent of benefits
...more than $44,000 pay income tax on up to 85 percent of benefits
 
Married Separate Filers pay tax on all benefits.
 
Social Security benefits are reported on Form SSA-1099, which is generally mailed out every January for the previous year’s benefits. You can also obtain the form by creating an online account at www.SSA.gov.​

Updated 1/22/2024