Personal Taxes: Social Security Income FAQs

Internal Revenue Service
  • Do I have to pay taxes on my social security retirement benefits?

  • Are social security disability benefits taxed just like social security retirement benefits?

  • Is social security income paid to a disabled dependent child taxable income on the parent's return?

  • Is social security considered earned income ?

  • Are social security survivor benefits for kids considered taxable income?

    Q: Do I have to pay taxes on my social security retirement benefits?

    A: Your social security benefits will not be taxed unless your adjusted gross income is generally equal to one half of your social security payments plus all your income from other sources.

    If you're married and file a joint return, you must combine your incomes and your social security and equivalent "tier 1" railroad retirement benefits when figuring the taxable portion of the benefits. The taxable amount of the benefits is figured on a worksheet in the Form 1040 or 1040A instruction book, or in Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits.

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    Q: Are social security disability benefits taxed just like social security retirement benefits?

    A: There is no difference in the formula for taxing social security benefits - whether the benefits are age-related or disability-related, except that social security benefits don't include supplemental security income (SSI) payments (which are not taxable).

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    Q: Is social security income paid to a disabled dependent child considered taxable income on the parent's return?

    A: The income is reported on the return of the person who has the legal right to receive the benefits. The social security benefits belonging to your dependent child must be added to your child's other income to see whether any of those benefits are taxable to the child. Whether the benefits are taxable will depend on the amount of benefits and amount of other income, including interest or dividends.

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    Q: Is social security considered "earned income"?

    A: Social security is not considered earned income. However, depending on your other earnings during the year, part of it may be taxable income.

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    Q: Are social security survivor benefits for kids considered taxable income?

    A: The person who has the legal right to receive the benefits must determine whether the benefits are taxable. For example, if you and your child receive benefits, but the check for your child is made out in your name, you must use only your part of the benefits to see whether any benefits are taxable to you. The part that belongs to your child must be added to your child's other income to see whether any of those benefits are taxable to the child.

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