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IRS - Social Security and equivalent Railroad Retirement benefits
IRS - Social Security and equivalent Railroad Retirement benefits

A guide to understanding the taxability of Social Security and equivalent railroad retirement benefits.

Nicole Lacorte avatar
Written by Nicole Lacorte
Updated over 2 weeks ago

If your only income during the tax year was your Social Security or equivalent railroad retirement benefits, they may not be taxable, and you may not need to file a tax return.

Nontaxable Benefits

The taxability of your benefits depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) plus half of your benefits received in the tax year. Your benefits are not taxable unless this total exceeds the base amount for your filing status. If you have additional income, you may still need to file a return, even if none of your benefits are taxable.

Determining Taxable Benefits

To determine if your benefits are taxable, consult:

  • Are My Social Security or Railroad Retirement Tier I Benefits Taxable?

  • Worksheet 1

  • Taxable benefits worksheets in the Instructions for Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR

Lump-Sum Payments

If you received benefits in the current tax year for a prior year, see Publication 915 for details on a special lump-sum election that may reduce your taxable benefits.

Who Pays Taxes on Benefits?

If your benefits are taxable, the person with the legal right to receive them must include them in gross income.

  • If you and your child both receive benefits, only your portion is used to determine your taxable amount. Your child's portion is calculated separately.

  • If married filing jointly, you and your spouse must combine your incomes and benefits to determine taxability, even if your spouse did not receive benefits.

How Benefits Are Reported to You

By early February, you should receive:

  • Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement

  • Form RRB-1099, Payments by the Railroad Retirement Board

These forms show:

  • Benefits paid to the recipient

  • Any benefits repaid

  • Adjustments for workers' compensation benefits, which may be taxable

Reporting Taxable Benefits

Report taxable Social Security or equivalent railroad retirement benefits on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.

Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

If any portion of your benefits is taxable, you can:

  • Request additional withholding from other income

  • Make estimated tax payments

For more information:

  • Am I Required to Make Estimated Tax Payments?

  • Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request, to elect withholding from your Social Security or equivalent railroad retirement benefits.

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