Please see answer below.

If the amount in box 5 on SSA 1099 is a negative number do I put it on my 1040 income line?

posted

No, you do not put it on your income line. Since the box 5 on the form shows a negative amount, it means you have already included a social security benefit amount in your gross income in an earlier year. You may be able to deduct part of it if the figure is more than $3,000. If the figure is $3,000 or less, it is a miscellaneous itemized deduction and can no longer be deducted due to the new tax reform.

Here is how it works in the program (online):

Sign in to your account, select Take me to my return
To your left, select Federal.
From above, select Deductions and Credits
Scroll down to section Other Deductions and Credits /Other Deductible expenses, select Start
Follow prompts
On the screen, Tell us about your less common expenses, enter information if it's less than $3000
If it's more than $3000, select Continue to the next screen
On the screen, Tell us about your other deductions, enter information. Please see the attached screenshots.