Social security only becomes taxable when added to sufficient other income. If you are otherwise required to file a tax return, you do need to enter it in Turbotax (TT). TT will determine the taxable portion.
Social security (including SSDI) becomes taxable when your income, including 1/2 your social security, reaches:
Married Filing Jointly(MFJ): $32,000
Single or head of household: $25,000
Married Filing Separately and lived with your spouse at any time during the tax year: $0
For the first $9,000 (12,000 MFJ), only 50% of your SS is taxed*. After that 85% is taxed. And gradually the 50% taxed is replaced with the 85%. It's the government; they make it complicated. See IRS Publication 915. When TT prints out your return, it will provide you with the IRS social security worksheet showing you how the taxable amount was calculated. Here’s a copy showing you how the calculation is done:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="
http://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/social_security_benefits_worksheet_1040i.pdf">http:...> If your use form 1040A, instead of 1040, see <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="
http://taxtopics.net/ssatax.pdf">http://taxtopics.net/ssatax.pdf</a>
*Note that SS is not taxed at a tax rate of 50%; it's only that 50 % of your SS becomes taxable. The tax rate at that level of income is only 10% and some at 15%.
