Why are we paying income tax on Social Security

recoy46 — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:51:23 GMT

Based on our president Social Security is exempt on Federal Taxes

Re: Why are we paying income tax on Social Security

VolvoGirl — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:53:21 GMT

The taxable amount of SS wasn't affected. What you get is a new 6,000 Senior Deduction separately for each spouse over 65.

It is automatic based on your age. It is not part of your Standard Deduction. The new Senior Deduction is separate and in addition to the Standard Deduction or your Itemized Deductions on 1040 line 12e. The 6,000/12,000 senior deduction will be calculated on 1040 Schedule 1-A page 2 Part V Enhanced Deduction for Seniors which goes to 1040 line 13b with any other sch 1-A amounts. Turbo Tax automatically includes it if you qualify. If you are married you have to file a Joint return.

 For Online version You can preview the 1040 or print the whole return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-filing/00/26160

What do you have on 1040 line 13b?
See the 1040…….
,

Re: Why are we paying income tax on Social Security

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:54:54 GMT

There was a lot of political hot air about "no tax on Social Security" but that is not the way the tax laws actually changed. Social Security is still taxable --- the same as it used to be.

Instead, there is a "senior deduction for 2025 through 2028":

The “senior deduction” is added automatically by the software based on the date of birth and filing status you entered into MY INFO. You do not need to take any extra steps to enter it. (And…the new senior deduction has nothing to do with whether you are getting Social Security)

The deduction is not on the same line as your standard deduction. It is shown separately.

2025 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind +1600)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $31,500 (65 or older/legally blind + $1600)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $23,625 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

For 2025 through 2028 there is an extra deduction amount of up to $6000 per individual 65 or older filing Single, MFJ, or HOH which is phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers.

(The deduction phases out completely at $175.000 Single or HOH, or $250,000 joint)

The $6,000 senior deduction will be calculated on 1040 Schedule 1-A page 2 Part V Enhanced Deduction for Seniors which goes to 1040 line 13b. It is separate and in addition to the Standard Deduction or your Itemized Deductions on 1040 line 12e. Turbo Tax automatically includes it.

IRS Schedule 1-A
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040s1a--dft.pdf

Need to see it?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/preview-turbotax-online-return-filing/L77WCkvnu_US_en_US?uid=m681fkhr

If you are not getting the senior deduction it is because

Your date of birth in MY INFO shows that you were not 65 by the end of 2025

Your income is too high

You are filing married filing separately

TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY

Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxable on your federal tax return. There is no age limit for having to pay taxes on Social Security benefits if you have other sources of income along with the SS benefits. When you have other income such as earnings from continuing to work, investment income, pensions, etc. up to 85% of your SS can be taxable.

What confuses people about this is that before you reach full retirement age, if you continue working while drawing SS, your benefits can be reduced if you earn over a certain limit. (For 2021 it was $18,960. For 2022 it was $19,560 — for 2023 $21,240) For 2024, $22,320. For 2025 it will be $23,400; 2026 $24,480

After full retirement age, no matter how much you continue to earn, your benefits are not reduced by your earnings; your employer will still have to withhold for Social Security and Medicare. If you work as an independent contractor then you will pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare.

To see how much of your Social Security was taxable, look at lines 6a and 6b of your 2025 Form 1040

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/are-my-social-security-or-railroad-retirement-tier-i-benefits-taxable

You need to file a federal return if half your Social Security plus your other income is

Single or Head of Household $25,000

Married Filing Jointly $32,000

Married Filing Separately $0

Re: Why are we paying income tax on Social Security

fanfare — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 18:28:40 GMT

Trump's constant claim of

no tax on social security

no tax on overtime pay

is just a lie.

topic Why are we paying income tax on Social Security in Retirement tax questions

Why are we paying income tax on Social Security

Re: Why are we paying income tax on Social Security

Re: Why are we paying income tax on Social Security

Re: Why are we paying income tax on Social Security