topic Do you have to file if your income under 24k and on only social security? in Retirement tax questions

Do you have to file if your income under 24k and on only social security?

stormdaisy1951 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:33:01 GMT

Do l have to file my taxes if l make less than 24k and only receive Social Security?

Re: Do you have to file if your income under 24k and on only social security?

DoninGA — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 23:50:51 GMT

If the Social Security benefits are the Only income to be reported on the tax return, then there is no reason or need to file a tax return.

Re: Do you have to file if your income under 24k and on only social security?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 23:51:05 GMT

If you only get Social Security or SSDI it is not taxable and you don't have to file a return. If you are married and your spouse has income you do have to file the Social Security.

Re: Do you have to file if your income under 24k and on only social security?

Vanessa A — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 23:51:38 GMT

If your income is ONLY $24,000 of Social Security, then no, you would not need to file.

If your income is $24,000 in addition to Social Security, then yes, you would need to file a return.

Basically if your taxable income is more than your standard deduction below, you will need to file a tax return.

The 2023 Standard Deductions are as follows:

Married Filing Joint (MFJ) $27,700
Married Filing Separate (MFS) $13,850
Head of Household (HOH) $20,800
Single $13,850
Both over 65 MFJ
Over 65 Single
Over 65 HOH

Blind and MFJ or MFS add $1,500

Single or HOH if blind add $1,850

If you fall into the following, 85% of your social security is taxable income

Single with income above $34,000
Married Filing Jointly with income above $44,000
Married Filing Separate regardless of income

If you fall into the following, 50% of your social security is taxable income

Single with combined income between $25,000-$34,000
Married Filing Jointly with combined income between $32,000 and $44,000

Your combined income is calculated by adding your

AGI plus
Nontaxable Interest plus
1/2 of your social security Benefits

Social Security Benefits Taxes