Taxable Social Security Income

[Db-Bl]

I want to make sure that there is not a software glitch in Turbo Tax calculating the taxable amount of my Social Security benefit income.  My Married Filing Jointly income in both 2023 and 2024 was over the $44K threshold,  (and our 2024 Social Security benefits are slightly more than in 2023), but the taxable amount on the Social Security income is much less in 2024 than it was in 2023.   It sounds good but I'm trying to understand how that can be correct.  What else, if anything, factors into the amount of SS income that is taxable?  I calculated Combined Income (AGI + nontaxable interest + half of SS benefits) and compared it from 2023 to 2024, and I do see that our combined income is less in 2024 than it was in 2023.  Is there information somewhere that shows fine tuning on calculation of taxable SS benefit income - something beyond just either above or below the 44K threshold?  

[DoninGA]

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

[Db-Bl]

Thanks for that but the total of all other income plus ½ of Social Security is in the same range both years.  Why would it calculate a much lower taxable amount this year?  I think I'm looking for clarity re the "up to" 85% wording.  Thanks again.

[ThomasM125]

There is a Social Security Benefits Worksheet that should be included in the printouts from your 2023 return prepared in TurboTax. I suggest you look at the worksheet and plug in the comparable numbers for 2024 and that should enlighten you as to why the taxable amount is less in 2024 than in 2023.

[Db-Bl]

I was excited to see there was a way to view this but I went through all of the documents TT has in my 2023 account and none of them appear to be what you are referencing.  The only schedules I have attached are the 1040, the Schedule 3 Additional Credits and Payments, Schedule B Interest and Ordinary Dividends, Schedule D Capital Gains/Losses, Form 8889 HSAs, and Form 8995 Qualified Bus Income Deduction Computation.  None of those related to SS income.  Any other suggestion to find last year's calculation or to understand this year's calculation?  Thank you again.

[KrisD15]

It sounds like you are looking at only the tax forms (your tax return) and not the worksheets. 

Since you are looking for prior year worksheets, you should see that under the prior year PDF if using TurboTax Online, unless you used TurboTax free, then only the return is provided. 

Worksheets are always available in Forms Mode when using TurboTax Desktop. 

[Db-Bl]

Thanks.  I'm using the online version and searching as follows:   Starting on the main navigation page, then Tax Home , then Year 2023, then Your Tax Returns and Documents , then Download/Print Return (PDF). The other options were My Docs, View AGI, Order Details, E-File Details, Amend Return and Download .tax file. I tried all of them. My Docs sounded promising but only contained 2024 docs. “Download .tax file” sounded promising but would not open. (In 2023 I used the online TT Live Premium, BTW.)  Still not finding worksheets.  What am I missing?  Thanks again.

[DawnC]

Unless you saved the full tax return with worksheets and supporting schedules last year, you won't be able to access those now.   The default setting for printing PDFs is Tax Return and all forms required for filing (no worksheets).   That means you saved the default return.    However, you may be able to find what you are looking for by looking at the Two-Year Comparison worksheet that is in your current return.  

This year, before you file, save a copy of your return from the Print Center (under Tools menu), choose the option to save all forms, worksheets and supporting details (all calculation worksheets) to your PDF file.