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New Member
posted Mar 21, 2021 7:05:56 AM

Social Security taxes

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

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3 Replies
Level 15
Mar 21, 2021 7:07:22 AM

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

New Member
Mar 21, 2021 7:10:47 AM

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

Level 15
Mar 21, 2021 7:27:42 AM


@kkozey4925 wrote:

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


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