The answer depends on
what filing status you would be using, and the total amount of your Social
Security benefits.
You would include
your Social Security income to determine whether you are required to file under
either of the following circumstances:
You would be filing Married Filing Separate and you lived with your spouse at any time during 2016
One half of your Social Security benefits plus
your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest is more than $25,000
($32,000 for married filing joint)
If neither of the conditions apply to your situation, then
you do not include your Social Security income to determine whether you are
required to file a return.
Click on the picture below to see the income filing
requirements for 2016.
