Hello,
This is the first year that I'm filing single. My wife past away in 2023 and I filed Married filing jointly in 2023.
I'm entering the information from my first ever SSA-1099. I entered the amount from Box 5 Net Benefits for 2024. I do not live abroad.
I received a lump-sum payment of $2495 in January of 2024 for 2023 along with my first Social Security payment after applying for Survivor Benefits. Box 3 says "*Includes: $2495 Paid in 2024 for 2023".
I applied for Survivor Benefits in late 2023 and they were approved in December 2023.
I entered the amount of my 2023 lump-sum payment received in 2024, $2495.
The next prompt after clicking continue is...
Now, let’s look at your 2023 form
If you received benefits in 2023 that were already reported on your 2023 tax return, there will be an amount in box 5 of your Form SSA-1099.
Amount in box 5 of your 2023 Form SSA-1099 ??????? I didn't receive benefits or an SSA-1099 in 2023, my late wife did. I left this blank.
I clicked continue...
What was your filing status in 2023?
Click Continue.
We need a few details about your 2023 income
This info can be found on your 2023 tax return.
The 2023 Adjusted gross income is there.
Taxable Social Security benefits in 2023, I entered $7545 and the Federal Return amount increased about $40.
Is this the correct way to answer this series of questions? If I'm not entitled to the increased amount I don't want to get penalized for it when someone reviews the return down the road.
Thank you for your assistance.
