SSA-1099

[MikeEspi1]

My wife and I received our 2020 SSA-1099. At the bottom of BOX 3, there is an asterisk * statement:

*Includes $1000.00 paid in 2020 for 2019

Do I have to go back to 2019 tax to amend the 2019 amount I received in 2020 for 2019? Or should I just include the amount in my 2020 taxes?  

[MaryK4]

No, you do not amend your 2019 for the payments made in 2020 for 2019.  

You can't amend returns for prior years to reflect social security benefits received in a single lump-sum in the current year. You must include the taxable part of a lump-sum payment of benefits received in the current year (reported to you on Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement) in your current year's income, even if the payment includes benefits for an earlier year.

See Back Payments | Internal Revenue Service.

[MikeEspi1]

Very helpful, this confirms the IRS interpretation. Thanks