How is tax on social security benefits calculated?

[franko15]

My wife earned about $36,000 in 2017, and my Social security benefits were roughly $24,000, for a gross income of $60,000 (married filing jointly). It is perplexing to see how much tax I still have to pay, especially on my social security benefits.  How do they calculate this figure?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

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

[franko15]

So, if my combined income is $48,761, this is $16,761 more than the base amount of $32,000. How is tax calculated on this amount? Is it 6%, 7%, or something else?

[DoninGA]

Since you are using the TurboTax desktop editions, click on Forms in the upper right of the desktop program screen.
In Forms mode, on the left side of the screen, click on Social Sec to open the Social Security Benefits Worksheet.  The calculations will be shown on the worksheet.

[franko15]

Thanks, this was very helpful!