Are SS benefits defined as a component of gross income for tax reporting purposes?

[cjones11001]

I and my wife are 67 y.o. and our only income is SS benefits ($57,000) and interest ($700) -- do we even have to file a return?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Who has to file?

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F

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

[AmeliesUncle · Accepted solution]

Only the taxable portion of your Social Security is considered as "Gross Income".

As the previous answer indicated, your Social Security won't be taxable, so no, you are not required to file.

With that being said, many people choose to voluntarily file to (a) prevent someone from filing a fraudulent tax return in your behalf and (2) start the date to begin the Statute of Limitations that the IRS can question you about something for that year.