If this is your only income, then no, you are not required to file. However, if you have any other income, such as from a pension, you might need to.
A quick way to find out if any of your benefits may be taxable is to add one-half of your Social Security benefits to all your other income, including any tax-exempt interest. Next, compare this total to the base amounts below. If your total is more than the base amount for your filing status, then some of your benefits may be taxable. The three base amounts are:
- $25,000 - for single, head of household, qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child or married individuals filing separately who did not live with their spouse at any time during the year
- $32,000 - for married couples filing jointly
- $0 - for married persons filing separately who lived together at any time during the year.