SSA 1099 - Money paid in 2019 for 2018

[suljo10223]

I received a SSA 1099 for Jan thru April for SS benefits received under my late husband's SS#. In April I became 70 and began to collect a larger amount under my own SS#.  When I changed my benefit to my own SS# I was told I could go back 6 months and get a check for the 6 month amount due to me at that time, but that would reduce my current benefit by a small amount (the increase amount for 1 year). I chose that option. On the SSA 1099 for my SS# it says on the bottom that the total amount earned in 2019 is inclusive of  the total amount of a bulk check that I received for benefits in 2018.  On both these SSA 1099's there is no tax taken.  The amount of the bulk check that I received differs by $4424.  Entering the amount of the bulk check into the section that asks for that amount paid for 2018, my tax liability goes up almost $4000.  Am I doing something wrong or is this a Social Security question.  Any ideas?

Thanks

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

Adding $4,424 for your tax to go up $4,000 does not sound right! You should add the 2018 paid in 2019 amount as it was 2019 income. You may have other items - credits and deductions and taxable Social Security all jumping around on your return that could cause that large of an increase. It is rare, but can happen.

You may want to contact a specialist that can work through that section of the return with you. They can see your screen and what is changing to determine if this is correct.

[suljo10223]

It was added to my 2019 income. That is where I was told to add it by the program. I really think there are taxes due but I beleive the difference in the amount of SS checks I received as a "lump sum" from the amount reported on the SSA 1099 is an error with the SS office. Just want to be sure I am not missing anything here with the "lump sum" being taxed at an unusually large amount.  I also made considerable less in 2019 than 2018 because I only worked 6 months, so I showed a small amount of tax due (this is usual for me) until I answered the question about the lump sum amount. 

Thanks for you help. I have been on hold with Social Security for 2 hours now waiting to get to someone to find out if they have any answers why the amount on the SSA 1099 differs from the actual check I received.

Appreciate the feedback!

[MarilynG1]

No, the lump-sum amount you received for 2018 in 2019 is not taxable on your 2019 return.

You will need to reference your 2018 return, so have that handy. 

Click this link for instructions on How to Enter a Lump Sum SS Payment.