Must I pay taxes on Social Security benefits? (2024)

FAQs

Must I pay taxes on Social Security benefits? ›

You report the taxable portion of your social security benefits on line 6b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) one-half of your benefits, plus (2) all of your other income, including tax-exempt interest, is greater than the base amount for your filing status

One common misperception is that Social Security benefits are entirely tax-free. However, it has been the rule for many years that some portion — in some cases, up to 85% — of your Social Security benefits can be taxable, depending on your income.

Generally, if Social Security benefits were your only income, your benefits are not taxable and you probably do not need to file a federal income tax return.

Substantial income includes wages, earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return. Between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of your benefits. More than $34,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.

Single filers with a combined income of $25,000 to $34,000 must pay income taxes on up to 50% of their Social Security benefits. If your combined income is more than $34,000, you will pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits. Do you need help figuring out your required minimum distributions?

Just like the income tax, most people can't avoid paying Social Security taxes on their employment and self-employment income. There are, however, exemptions available to specific groups of taxpayers. If you fall under one of these categories, you can potentially save a significant amount of money.

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

You will pay federal income taxes on your benefits if your combined income (50% of your benefit amount plus any other earned income) exceeds $25,000/year filing individually or $32,000/year filing jointly. You can pay the IRS directly or have taxes withheld from your payment.

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

For the 2022 tax year, seniors filing single or married filing separately get a standard deduction of $14,700. For those who are married and filing jointly, the standard deduction for 65 and older is $25,900.

How much of my Social Security income is taxable in 2024? ›

Up to 50% of your Social Security benefits are taxable if: You file a federal tax return as an "individual" and your combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000. You file a joint return, and you and your spouse have a combined income between $32,000 and $44,000.

For retirees 65 and older, here's when you can stop filing taxes: Single retirees who earn less than $14,250. Married retirees filing jointly, who earn less than $26,450 if one spouse is 65 or older or who earn less than $27,800 if both spouses are age 65 or older. Married retirees filing separately who earn less than ...

The Social Security tax limit refers to the maximum amount of earnings that are subject to Social Security tax. For 2024, the Social Security tax limit is $168,600. Workers earning less than this limit pay a 6.2% tax on their earnings.

You generally can't opt out of paying Social Security tax. It's a mandatory tax in the United States and most workers are required to contribute to the Social Security system.

Starting in 2024, tax Social Security benefits in a manner similar to private pension income.

At What Age Can You Stop Filing Taxes? Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. Basically, if you're 65 or older, you have to file a tax return in 2022 if your gross income is $14,700 or higher. If you're married filing jointly and both 65 or older, that amount is $28,700.