Social Security Benefits Worksheet

Where is the Social Security Benefits Worksheet?

You figure the taxable portion of your social security benefits by using a Social Security Benefits Worksheet. Most taxpayers use the worksheet that is included in the form 1040 instructions. If you take certain exclusions from income or you received a lump sum payment of social security benefits, you must use the worksheets found in the IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits.

1040 Instruction Booklet (Page 25, Social Security Benefits Worksheet for lines 20a and 20b of form 1040)

IRS Publication 915 (Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits)

What is my taxable social security benefits if I contribute to an IRA?

If you contribute to a traditional IRA and your tax deduction is limited because you (or your spouse if married filing jointly) are covered by a retirement plan at work, you must use the special worksheet in the IRS Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) to figure out both your IRA deduction and your taxable social security benefits.

How to use the Social Security Benefits worksheet?

Before using the Social Security Benefits worksheet, complete page 1 of the Form 1040, lines 7 through 19, line 21, and 23 through 36.

On the Social Security Benefits worksheet, use the amount of net social security benefits shown in box 5 of Form SSA-1099 to figure the taxable part of your social security benefits.

Net benefits are the gross payments you received minus any repayments you made during the tax year to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Make sure you use only the box 5 amount on the Social Security Benefits worksheet.

The net social security benefits you received shown in box 5 of SSA 1099 are entered on line 20a of Form 1040. Report the taxable social security benefits on line 20b. If none of your benefits are taxable, do not report them on your tax return. Leave lines 20a and 20b blank.