How is line 20 on the Social Security Benefits Worksheet calculated when line 19 is zero?

[pachiles]

Line 20 on the Social Security Benefits Worksheet reads:

Taxable Social Security Benefit: Enter the smaller of line 18 or 19.

Line 19 is blank (no amount) but the worksheet has placed the value on line 18 in line 20.  That doesn't make sense given the instructions.

[VolvoGirl]

Yikes,.  You just posted your personal info and ssn for the whole world to see.  I removed it.  This is a public forum and it is not safe.  Everyone can see it and try to scam  you.  

[G-Pa-Ron]

Thanks.  I just got in a hurry and was careless.  

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Read line 18 again.  That's only if you have an amount on line 19.  Otherwise you skip line 19 and go directly to line 20.

Line 18 says.........
Taxable social security benefits. Enter the smaller of line 16 or line 17 18
If prior year lump-sum benefits were received, go to line 19, otherwise,
skip line 19 and enter the amount from line 18 on line 20.

[G-Pa-Ron]

Thanks.  I failed to see how line 18 was stated.