Tax year 2018 we reported taxable SSA benefits. Our 1040 Form reflects our SSA benefit (line 5B) is not taxable. This cannot be. Please explain what I need to do.

[IreneS]

Why do you think your SSA is taxable?

[IreneS]

Whether your Social Security benefits are taxable depends on how much other income you have. 

Here’s a quick way to find out if you have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits: Add one-half of the Social Security income to all other income, including tax-exempt interest. Then compare that amount to the base amount for your filing status. If the total is more than the base amount, some of your benefits may be taxable.

Base amounts:

• $25,000 – if taxpayers  are single, head of household, qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child or married filing separately and lived apart from their spouse for all of 2016

• $32,000 – if they are married filing jointly

• $0 – if they are married filing separately and lived with their spouse at any time during the year

Here is an interactive tax assistant tool from the IRS to help you fully answer the question. Click here: Are my Social Security Benefits Taxable