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.