On my 1040, line 20a, I have Social Security Benefits of 15,638. However, line 20b shows $0.00. Is this correct??

[ToddL · Accepted solution]

Depending on your other income, this is probably correct. Line 20a reports the total amount of your social security benefits, and Line 20b reports how much of those benefits were taxable.

Generally, if your only income is Social Security, you probably don't make enough money to be required to file a federal tax return.

If your Modified Adjusted Gross Income, or MAGI (which includes Social Security) is less than the base amount for your filing status ($32,000 for Married Filing Jointly, otherwise $25,000), your Social Security isn't taxable either. Once your MAGI exceeds those amounts, at least part of your Social Security becomes taxable.

[Mojito11]

How to arrive to amount for line 20b

[Mojito11]

How much of the excess over $32000.00 is the taxable amount?

[DoninGA]

---

@Mojito11  wrote:

How to arrive to amount for line 20b

---

The answer was for a 2017 or prior tax year return, not for tax year 2020.

On a 2020 Federal tax return Form 1040 the Social Security benefits received are on Line 6a and the taxable amount (if any) is on Line 6b.

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

However, if the Social Security benefits are the Only income to be reported on the tax return, then there is no reason or need to file a tax return.