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Updated for Tax Year 2022 • October 18, 2022 11:08 AM OVERVIEW The IRS typically requires you to file a tax return when your gross income exceeds the standard deduction for your filing status. These filing rules still apply to senior citizens who are living on Social Security benefits. However, if Social Security is your sole source of income, then you don't need to file a tax return. Key Takeaways • If the only income you receive is your Social Security benefits, then you typically don't have to file a federal income tax return. • If you are at least 65, unmarried, and receive $14,700 or more in non-exempt income in addition to your Social Security benefits, you typically must file a federal income tax return (tax year 2022). • If you are 65, married, and file a joint return with
a spouse who is also 65 or older, you typically must file a return if your non-exempt income is $28,700 or more (or $27,300 if your spouse is under 65 years old). • If the sum of half your Social Security plus your adjusted gross income plus your tax-exempt interest and dividends exceeds $25,000 for single filers (or $32,000 if you are married filing jointly), then a portion of your Social Security benefits are included in gross income and you might need to file a tax return. When seniors must fileFor tax year 2022, unmarried seniors will typically need to file a return if:
However, if your only income is from Social Security benefits, you don't typically include these benefits in your gross income. If this is the only income you receive, then your gross income for taxes equals zero, and you typically don't have to file a federal income tax return. But if you do earn other income including certain tax-exempt income, then each year you must determine whether the total exceeds the filing threshold.
For the 2022 tax year,
TurboTax Tip: As long as you are at least 65 years old and your income from sources other than Social Security is not high, then the tax credit for the elderly or disabled can reduce your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis. When to include Social Security in gross incomeThere are certain situations when seniors must include some of their Social Security benefits in gross income. If you are married but file a separate tax return and live with your spouse at any time during the year, then 85% your Social Security benefits are considered gross income which may require you to file a tax return. In addition, a portion of your Social Security benefits are included in gross income, regardless of your filing status, in any year the sum of half your Social Security benefit plus all of your adjusted gross income, plus all of your tax-exempt interest and dividends, exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if you are married filing jointly. Tax credit for seniorsEven if you must file a tax return, there are ways you can reduce the amount of tax you have to pay on your taxable income. As long as you are at least 65 years old and your income from sources other than Social Security is not high, then the tax credit for the elderly or disabled can reduce your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Remember, with TurboTax, we'll ask you simple questions about your life and help you fill out all the right tax forms. With TurboTax you can be confident your taxes are done right, from simple to complex tax returns, no matter what your situation. All you need to know is yourselfAnswer simple questions about your life and TurboTax Free Edition will take care of the rest. For simple tax returns only Real tax experts on demand with TurboTax Live BasicGet unlimited advice and an expert final review. Done right, guaranteed. For simple tax returns only
The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business. At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?Are Social Security benefits taxable regardless of age? Yes. The rules for taxing benefits do not change as a person gets older. Whether or not your Social Security payments are taxed is determined by your income level — specifically, what the Internal Revenue Service calls your “provisional income.”
Are Social Security taxes withheld after age 70?Yes, Social Security is taxed federally after the age of 70. If you get a Social Security check, it will always be part of your taxable income, regardless of your age. There is some variation at the state level, though, so make sure to check the laws for the state where you live.
At what age can you earn unlimited income on Social Security?If you will reach full retirement age in 2022, the limit on your earnings for the months before full retirement age is $51,960. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you can get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.
Do seniors pay taxes on Social Security income?You must pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits if you file a: Federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. Joint return, and you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000.
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