topic Social Security taxes in Retirement tax questions

Social Security taxes

kkozey4925 — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 14:05:56 GMT

My wife receives Social Security benefits and is over full retirement age. Why do we still pay taxes on her benefits?

Re: Social Security taxes

DoninGA — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 14:07:22 GMT

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

Re: Social Security taxes

kkozey4925 — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 14:10:47 GMT

I thought if someone is over full retirement age their benefits aren't taxed?

Re: Social Security taxes

DoninGA — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 14:27:42 GMT

@kkozey4925 wrote:

I thought if someone is over full retirement age their benefits aren't taxed?

No, that is a misunderstanding by many people. Age is not factor for determining when Social Security benefits become taxable on a federal tax return.

See this IRS Publication 915 Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits page 3 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf#page=3