Why are my husband's social security benefits being taxed?

[Bdilly53]

My husband and I both retired in 2018.  He is 71, was self-employedand closed his service business. The net profit for his business shown on schedule C is $553.00.  His social security benefits total is $12,346 with $5,579 being taxable. My gross wages are $27,861.  Am I missing something?  Help.

[macuser_22]

Are you filing Married Filing Separately?   If so then all SS is taxable income and $5,700  that would be about correct.   Filing jointly only about $2000 or less would be taxable.

[ChristieB · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, with the income you have listed, it has exceeded (just barely) the $32,000 limit for having none of the benefits be taxable. 

https://www.irs.gov/faqs/social-security-income