Why did you get two SSA-1099 forms? Do they both have the same name and Social Security number in boxes 1 and 2?
Do they have different claim numbers in box 8?
Please follow these steps to enter Form SSA-1099:
If you received multiple SSA-1099s (make sure the Social Security Number is the same) add up the amounts for each box and enter them together.
Please see Is my Social Security income taxable? for additional information.
Yes the claim numbers are different. Once mother retired, we switched from my father's claim number to my mothers.
Yes, you can add up the amounts for the two forms.
This example has one set of numbers for each spouse but if one spouse had two forms, they can be combined.
@cmacost wrote:
Yes the claim numbers are different.
As long as the two SSA-1099 forms have the same Beneficiary's Social Security Number in box 2 you can add them together. The claim number doesn't matter.
Yes, have same name and SS number but have different benefits amounts.
Benefit amount different by approx. $2,000.
Second form does not have a date or an indication of a correction.
Have never seen an official form without a date; or a Correction Form without a Correction indication; neither have CPAs or Professional Prepares that I have asked.
Is the 2nd. form valid?
If so, which form do I use?
Must amounts be added together?
If you have even a rough idea of how much you received during the year, you should be able to tell whether you have to add the two forms together, or if one of them represents the total benefits that you received.
Did the type of benefits change during the year? For example, did it change from disability benefits to retirement benefits because you reached retirement age? If so, you have to add the two forms together. Box 8, at the bottom right of the form, has your Social Security number followed by a suffix or code. If the suffixes are different, this is probably what happened.
If you're not sure, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 and ask them why you got two SSA-1099 forms. The SSA web site says "Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month."