Social Security Retirement/Disability/Survivors benefits are reported on a form SSA-1099 and the benefits received are to be entered on a federal tax return. The benefits may be taxable depending on the amount of other income you have entered on your tax return.
However, if the Social Security benefits is the Only income to be reported on the tax return and there is no federal income taxes being withheld, then there is no reason or need to file a tax return.
Unless you also received a Form 1095-A for your health insurance through one of the State Marketplace Exchanges or from healthcare.gov then you must file a tax return.
To enter Social Security benefits reported on form SSA-1099
Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
Click on Wages and Income (Personal Income using Home and Business)
Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
Scroll down to Retirement Plans and Social Security
On Social Security (SSA-1099, RRB-1099), click the start or update button
Or enter ssa-1099 in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to ssa-1099
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
You say that the 1099R shows $1900 withheld, but neglected to mention how much money you actually took from the retirement account. We do not know your filing status.
You need to file a federal return if half your Social Security plus your other income is
Single or Head of Household $25,000
Married Filing Jointly $32,000
Married Filing Separately $0
Who has to file?
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F
Yes you should file a tax return. Even if your income is low and not taxable you can file to get back any withholding taken out.
Enter a 1099R under
Federal Taxes
Wages & Income
Then scroll way down to Retirement Plans and Social Security
Then IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R) – Click Start
For state boxes, for box 16 State Distribution put the same amount that’s in box 1. If box 14 is blank you can leave boxes 14,15 & 16 blank.
Go to Federal> Wages & Income>>Retirement Plans and Social Security (SSA1099 and 1099RRB) to enter your SSA1099.
To enter your retirement income, Go to Federal> Wages and Income>Retirement Plans and Social Security>IRA 401 k) Pension Plan Withdrawals to enter your 1099R.
Thank you for your reply but I’m afraid that still I don’t quite understand. My wife passed away a year and a half ago and she always handled all of this. Last year I paid our accountant to do everything but I don’t want to have to pay him if I don’t need to. What do you mean by “go to federal”?
Click on the federal tab on the left side or at the top of the Desktop program.