Widowed this year: Is Social Security taxable?

[Framboise]

Widowed this year: Is Social Security taxable?

My husband passed in December 2024 and I'm filing the taxes as Married Filing Jointly.

Turbo Tax automatically entered zero dollars in the Social Security portion, and Turbo Tax doesn't allow me to change it. 

However, "Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your Social Security reaches: Married Filing Jointly: $32,000."

Our income exceeds $32,000.

Should I leave zero dollars for both of our Social Security amounts? Or should I change it, but how can I do this since Turbo Tax doesn't give me the option?

[xmasbaby0]

Very sorry for your loss.  For the year that your spouse died, you can still file a joint return.  That way, you will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $29,200 (+ $1550 for each spouse 65 or older) which will lower the amount of income you are taxed on.

In My Info, you will need to indicate that your spouse died. When his name is in My Info,  there is a screen early in the interview that asks "Do any of these apply to [name] ?’” where you will do that, and then a drop down will appear where you can enter the date he passed.

If you have qualifying dependent children you will be able to file as a qualifying surviving spouse  (QSS) for the next two years after this tax return.  Post back if you need further help.

 Go to Federal> Wages & Income>>Retirement Plans and Social Security  (SSA1099 and 1099RRB) to enter you and your spouse's  SSA1099

Enter any other income you or your spouse receive for 2024.

[KrisD15]

Which TurboTax program are you using and is it Desktop or Online? 

There is a question about the spouse living in a foreign country which can make the Social Security exempt. 

Please go back through the section where you enter SSA-1099.

Look for a screen that looks like the one attached. 

For Online it comes before entering the form and with Desktop if comes after. 

Make sure you select NO to that question. 

@Framboise 

[Framboise]

I've completed my entire tax return, and my only problem is entering the SSA 1099 because Turbo Tax automatically entered zero and won't let me change it.

In the “Retirement plans and Social Security” section,

-if I click “update”, no new page opens.

-If I click “visit all”, everything appears except Social Security.

I think I need to enter our 2 SS since I will have to pay taxes on them.

My question is : How to change the 0 to the exact amount?

[Framboise]

I've completed my entire tax return, and my only problem is entering the SSA 1099 because Turbo Tax automatically entered zero and won't let me change it.

In the “Retirement plans and Social Security” section,

-if I click “update”, no new page opens.

-If I click “visit all”, everything appears except Social Security.

I think I need to enter our 2 SS since I will have to pay taxes on them.

My question is : How to change the 0 to the exact amount?

I use a Desktop.

Thank you,
Michele

[VolvoGirl]

Yes you need to enter both your Social Security.  Don't know why it's saying zero.  See if you can ignore that and enter your actual SSA-1099

Enter a SSA-1099, SSA-1099-SM or RRB-1099 under

Federal Taxes (Personal for Home&Business)

Wages and Income

Then scroll down to Retirement Plans and Social Security

Then the second line - Social Security (SSA-1099. RRB-1099) - click the Start or Revisit button

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

Desktop, wonderful. Follow these steps:

• Switch to Forms mode (windows system is top right)
• On the left side panel, locate 1040 and select it
• On the 1040, locate social security line 6, click in the box and you will see a magnifying glass.
• Click the magnifying glass
• The Social Security worksheet pops up
• Fill in lines A-E with the correct information for each of you.

Your return should now flow correctly. You can look at the 1040 tab and see that it is calculating up to 85% taxable- after the $32,000 floor.

Switch back to step by step and finish your return.

I am very sorry for your loss.

[Framboise]

Yes, it's what I do :

In the “Retirement plans and Social Security” section,

-if I click “update”, no new page opens.

-If I click “visit all”, everything appears except Social Security.

I will have to call Turbo tax Monday (since it is the weekend)

If they answer....They used to.

[AnnetteB6]

You won't need to call TurboTax if you can use the steps provided above by AmyC.  Following her steps and screenshots will let you enter the Social Security numbers so you can finish your return.  

If that does not work, use the information in the following TurboTax help article to get the TurboTax phone number.  We are currently available every day from 5 am to 9 pm PST.

What's the TurboTax phone number?
 

My condolences for your loss.

@Framboise 

[Framboise]

Thank you AmyC: I succeeded following your steps .