Received a payment from social security in 2019 for 2018. Is this considered a lump-sum payment? The amount was included in Box 3.

[ColeenD3]

Yes, if you received  a prior year benefit.

After you enter your SSA-1099 information, TurboTax will ask if you received a lump-sum Social Security payment. 

Answer Yes and follow the onscreen instructions. Your SSA-1099 lump-sum section breaks down the payments into what amount was received for each preceding year. You can only enter one year at a time; when finished, click Add Another Lump Sum if you need to enter benefits received for a different tax year.

[taxprora]

I have a client with a similar situation this year. Description of box 3 includes years 2019 to 2016 and then another amount "for other tax years". I do not have his AGI numbers for those prior years. and where do I enter the final amount for "other years"?

please advise.

thank you

[Irene2805]

If you are preparing a return for someone else, you shouldn't be using TurboTax.

You should get a copy of their 2016-2019 tax returns.   You should also find out what Social Security means by "other years."  You will need the information so that TurboTax can calculate the taxable amount of the lump sum distribution.

After you have entered the amounts from the SSA-1099,

1. You will be asked if any Lump-Sum Payments were included.
2. Mark the Yes radio button and click Continue. 
3. On the screens that follow you will be asked for the following information:

• the year the payment was for; 
• he amount;
• how much Social Security was reported on the 2016 return;
• filing status; and
• AGI

@taxprora

[taxprora]

Thank you for your response @Irene2805.