topic Salaried w/ disabled spouse on SSD - how to update W4 in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Salaried w/ disabled spouse on SSD - how to update W4

callen880 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:05:44 GMT

Hi: I'd like to update my W4 to make sure the correct amount of tax is withheld. I'm married filing jointly but my spouse is totally disabled with social security disability benefits. The W4 is filed as "Married, Both Spouses Working" but that is not the case. Only 1 spouse is working; 1 is disabled. What is the right way to show this on a W4? Thanks!

Re: Salaried w/ disabled spouse on SSD - how to update W4

xmasbaby0 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:59:21 GMT

Despite the fact that your spouse is disabled and is receiving SS benefits, she is receiving taxable income, so you might want to re-think changing your W-4. There is no place to say that your spouse is disabled on a W-4. If you file a joint return then all of your combined income must be entered on it including your spouse's SS income.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

Re: Salaried w/ disabled spouse on SSD - how to update W4

callen880 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 17:34:14 GMT

Thank you for your help!

Re: Salaried w/ disabled spouse on SSD - how to update W4

Opus 17 — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:30:13 GMT

Up to 85% of SSDI benefits may be taxable depending on your overall income. See here,

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminds-taxpayers-their-social-security-benefits-may-be-taxable

I would fill out a new W-4 using the instructions and tables on all 4 pages, and treat your spouse's SSDI as if it was taxable wages at the 85% rate. (For example, if the benefit is $20K per year, prepare the W-4 as if the income was a wage job at $17K.)