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jhph416
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Do seniors no longer have to pay federal income tax on their social security benefits. Is this true?

 
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2 Replies

Do seniors no longer have to pay federal income tax on their social security benefits. Is this true?

Not true.   That was a bunch of political hot air.  When the tax law changed passed, Social Security is still taxable just like it has been for years.  Instead, you get a "senior deduction" if you are 65 or older from 2025 to 2028.

 

 

 

 

 

The “senior deduction” is added automatically by the software based on the date of birth and filing status you entered into MY INFO.  You do not need to take any extra steps to enter it. (And…the new senior deduction has nothing to do with whether you are getting Social Security)

 

The deduction is not on the same line as your standard deduction.  It is shown separately.on line 13b.

 

 

2025 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $15,750  (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $15,750  (65 or older/legally blind +1600)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $31,500  (65 or older/legally blind + $1600)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $23,625 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

 

 

For 2025 through 2028 there is an extra  deduction amount of up to $6000 per individual 65 or older filing Single, MFJ, or HOH which is phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers.

 

(The deduction phases out completely at $175.000 Single or HOH, or $250,000 joint)

 

The $6,000 senior deduction will be calculated on 1040 Schedule 1-A page 2 Part V Enhanced Deduction for Seniors which goes to 1040 line 13b. It is separate and in addition to the Standard Deduction or your Itemized Deductions on 1040 line 12e.  Turbo Tax automatically includes it.

IRS Schedule 1-A
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040s1a--dft.pdf

 

Need to see it?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/preview-turbotax-online-retur...

 

If you are not getting the senior deduction it is because

Your date of birth in MY INFO shows that you were not 65 by the end of 2025

Your income is too high

You are filing married filing separately

 

 

 

Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxable on your federal tax return.  There is no age limit for having to pay taxes on Social Security benefits if you have other sources of income along with the SS benefits.  When you have other income such as earnings from continuing to work, investment income, pensions, etc. up to 85% of your SS can be taxable. 

 

 What confuses people about this is that before you reach full retirement age, if you continue working while drawing SS, your benefits can be reduced if you earn over a certain limit. (For 2021 it was  $18,960.  For 2022 it was  $19,560  —  for 2023 $21,240)  For 2024, $22,320.  For 2025 it will be $23,400; 2026   $24,480

 

After full retirement age, no matter how much you continue to earn, your benefits are not reduced by your earnings; your employer will still have to withhold for Social Security and Medicare.  If you work as an independent contractor then you will pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare.

 

To see how much of your Social Security was taxable, look at lines 6a and 6b of your 2025 Form 1040

 

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/are-my-social-security-or-railroad-retirement-tier-i-benefits-taxable

 

You need to file a federal return if half your Social Security plus your other income is

 

Single or Head of Household      $25,000

Married Filing Jointly                  $32,000

Married Filing Separately            $0

 

Some additional information:  There are 9 states that tax Social Security—Colorado, Connecticut,, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont  and West Virginia These states offer varying degrees of income exemptions, but two mirror the federal tax schedule: MN and VT.

 

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Do seniors no longer have to pay federal income tax on their social security benefits. Is this true?

If you are referring to the Social Security benefits being taxable, that is not true.

 

Up to 85% of Social Security Retirement/Disability/Survivors benefits becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security reaches:

  • Married Filing Jointly - $32,000
  • Single or Head of Household - $25,000
  • Married Filing Separately - 0

What you may be referring to is the new Senior Deduction for those age 65 and older.

 

New Bonus Standard Deduction (OBBB):
An additional $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older.
This is per eligible individual, meaning a married couple both over 65 could get $12,000.
Important: This bonus deduction is temporary, lasting from 2025 through 2028.
Income limitations: It phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers.

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