The social security benefits are not adding to the total income line on the return

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Social Security benefits are shown on Form 1040 Line 20a.  The taxable portion of the benefits are shown on Form 1040 Line 20b.  Only the taxable portion of the Social Security benefits are shown as income on Form 1040 Line 22 and included in Adjusted Gross Income Form 1040 Line 37. (For a Form 1040A the SS benefits are reported on Line 14a and the taxable benefits are on Line 14b)

Social Security benefits are only taxable if you have reported other income on your tax return.

Up to 85% of Social Security 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