Vanessa A
Expert Alumni

State tax filing

Which state? If you filed a return for him last year, it is possible that it was not yet processed.  The IRS has had this issue.  You can try to enter $0 for his state AGI.  If it was processed, then you may be able to get a state transcript from their website to see what they had and if they maybe made an adjustment to his income the reason it doesn't match.

 

When you say a small pension, how small? It is very possible that he still does not have a filing requirement.

 

Social security is not fully taxable which means, if he is single and has a pension of only $500/month, and social security of $1,200/ month, he would not need to file a return since his AGI would only be $13,200 and his standard deduction would be $14,700 if he is over 65.

 

If you fall into the following, 85% of your social security is taxable income

  • Single with income above $34,000
  • Married Filing Jointly with income above $44,000
  • Married Filing Separate regardless of income

If you fall into the following, 50% of your social security is taxable income

  • Single with combined income between $25,000-$34,000
  • Married Filing Jointly with combined income between $32,000 and $44,000

Your combined income is calculated by adding your

  • AGI plus
  • Nontaxable Interest plus
  • 1/2 of your social security Benefits

Social Security Benefits Taxes

 

The state rules very, but some states do not tax pensions or social security.  If this is the case, again, you would not need to file for him. 

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