Social Security taxes

[kkozey4925]

My wife receives Social Security benefits and is over full retirement age.  Why do we still pay taxes on her benefits?

[DoninGA]

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

[kkozey4925]

I thought if someone is over full retirement age their benefits aren't taxed? 

[DoninGA]

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@kkozey4925 wrote:

I thought if someone is over full retirement age their benefits aren't taxed? 

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No, that is a misunderstanding by many people.  Age is not factor for determining when Social Security benefits become taxable on a federal tax return.

See this IRS Publication 915 Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits page 3 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf#page=3