Q. If I’m only getting Social Security, do I need to file taxes?
A. No.
Social security only becomes taxable when added to sufficient other income.
Social security (including SSDI) becomes taxable when your income, including half of 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
As of January 2025, the maximum benefit you can receive at full retirement age is $48,216 ( $4,018 per month). Half of that is $24,108 (less than $25K). So, if your ONLY income is SS, you do not need to file a federal income tax return.
Technically, some states (Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia) tax social security. But the income thresholds are high enough that most people don't get taxed (and don't need to file a state return, if they don't need to file a federal return).