Social Security Income: When is it taxable? [Individual]

If the only income you received during the year was Social Security, your benefits are usually not taxable. However, if you received income during the year in addition to Social Security, part of your benefits may be taxable if all of your other income plus half of your Social Security benefits is more than

  • $25,000 if you are single, head of household or qualifying widow(er);
  • $25,000 if you are married filing separately, and living separately;
  • $32,000 if married filing jointly; or
  • $ -0- if married filing separately and living with spouse at all in the year.

IRS Publication 915 contains more detailed information on when Social Security income is taxable. Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits, contains more detailed information, follow this link, www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf.

Guide Location: 

14:01;