Yes, you can get a tax refund while receiving Social Security, but whether you owe taxes depends on your total income for the year
Social Security benefits themselves are not taxable income for most people. However, if you have other income—wages, self-employment earnings, interest, dividends, or rental income—you may owe federal income tax. If you paid too much tax through withholding or estimated payments, you can receive a refund just like anyone else.
The key is your combined income, which includes half of your Social Security benefits plus all other income. If that combined total exceeds a certain threshold, a portion of your benefits becomes taxable. The thresholds are $25,000 for single filers and $32,000 for married couples filing jointly. These thresholds have not changed since 1984.
Many people on Social Security have no tax liability at all because their only income is the benefit itself. Others work part-time, have pension income, or draw from retirement accounts, which pushes them into tax territory. If you fall into that second group and had taxes withheld from paychecks or made estimated tax payments, you may be may have access to to a refund.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security benefits are not taxable by themselves, but other income you receive during the year can trigger a tax filing requirement.
- Your combined income—half your Social Security plus all other income—determines whether any of your benefits are taxable.
- If you had taxes withheld from wages, pensions, or other sources, you can file a return and receive a refund even if you owe no tax.
- You can request that the Social Security Administration withhold federal income tax directly from your monthly benefit if you want to avoid a large bill at tax time.
When Social Security income triggers a tax filing requirement
You must file a federal income tax return if your combined income exceeds the threshold for your filing status. For a single person in 2024, that threshold is $14,600 in earned income alone, or $25,000 in combined income (including half your Social Security). For married couples filing jointly, the threshold is $29,200 in earned income or $32,000 in combined income.
The math works like this: take half your annual Social Security benefit, add all your other income (wages, self-employment, interest, pensions, IRA withdrawals), and compare that total to the threshold. If you are over it, you file. If you are under it, you generally do not have to file—but you may want to anyway if taxes were withheld from your paychecks, because that is how you get a refund.
Many people on Social Security who work part-time or have pension income find themselves in this situation. They earn enough to owe tax, but their employer or pension provider withheld too much. Filing a return is how they recover that money.
How to report Social Security income on your tax return
Social Security benefits appear on Form SSA-1099, which the Social Security Administration mails to you by January 31 each year. This form shows your gross benefit for the year. You will need this form to file your return, whether you file on paper or electronically.
When you file, you report your Social Security income on Form 1040 (the main federal return) or Form 1040-SR if you are 65 or older. The IRS worksheet on the return walks you through calculating how much of your benefit is taxable based on your combined income. Many people find that none of their benefit is taxable, even though they must report it.
If you use tax software or work with a tax preparer, you simply enter the amount from your SSA-1099 and the software handles the calculation. The return is filed the same way as anyone else's—electronically or by mail by April 15.
Withholding taxes from your Social Security benefit
If you know you will owe tax when you file, you can ask the Social Security Administration to withhold federal income tax directly from your monthly benefit. This spreads the tax payment across the year instead of creating a large bill in April.
To set up withholding, complete Form W-4V (Voluntary Withholding Request) and submit it to your local Social Security office, by mail, or online through your my Social Security account. You can choose to withhold 7%, 10%, 15%, or 25% of your benefit each month. The withheld amount is sent to the IRS on your behalf.
This option is useful if you have other income that is not subject to withholding—such as self-employment income, rental income, or distributions from retirement accounts. It reduces the risk of underpaying tax during the year and owing a penalty when you file.
Refunds when you have little or no tax liability
If your only income is Social Security and it falls below the filing threshold, you do not owe tax and do not have to file. However, if you had taxes withheld from other income—such as a part-time job or a pension—you should file a return to recover that money.
For example, suppose you received $18,000 in Social Security and earned $8,000 from part-time work. Your combined income is $27,000 (half of $18,000 plus $8,000), which exceeds the $25,000 threshold for a single filer. You would owe tax on a portion of your benefit. But if your employer withheld $1,200 in federal tax from your paychecks and you owe only $400 in tax, you would receive an $800 refund.
The IRS does not automatically know you are may have access to to a refund. You must file the return yourself to claim it. This is true even if you have no tax liability—if taxes were withheld, filing gets you that money back.
Special situations: Earned Income Tax Credit and other refundable credits
If you have earned income (wages or self-employment) and your total income is low enough, you may be may have access to to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This is a refundable credit, meaning you can receive money from the IRS even if you owe no tax.
Social Security benefits do not count as earned income for EITC purposes, so your may be able to access is based only on wages or self-employment earnings. However, if you may have access to, the credit can result in a refund larger than the taxes you had withheld. The EITC phases out at higher income levels, so it is most common for people with modest earnings.
Similarly, if you have a dependent child or grandchild, you may be may have access to to the Child Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit (which is refundable). These credits can also generate a refund even if no tax was withheld.
What to do if you have not received your SSA-1099
The Social Security Administration mails Form SSA-1099 by January 31 each year. If you do not receive it by early February, you can request a replacement online through your my Social Security account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office.
If you need to file your return before the form arrives, you can use the benefit amount shown in your my Social Security account or on your most recent Social Security statement. The IRS will match your return against the official SSA-1099 when it arrives, and any discrepancy will be corrected automatically.
Do not delay filing if you are expecting a refund. The sooner you file, the sooner you receive your money. If the amount on your return differs slightly from the SSA-1099, the IRS will send you a notice explaining the difference, but your refund will not be delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a tax return if I only receive Social Security?
No. If Social Security is your only income and it is below the filing threshold for your age and status, you do not have to file. However, if you had taxes withheld from any other income during the year, you should file to recover that money.
Will getting a tax refund affect my Social Security benefits?
No. A tax refund is not counted as income for Social Security purposes. It does not affect your benefit amount, your Medicare premiums, or your may be able to access for any means-tested programs.
Can I file my taxes online if I receive Social Security?
Yes. You can file electronically using tax software, through a tax preparer, or through the IRS Free File program if your income is below the threshold. You will need your SSA-1099 and any other income documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.).
What if I owe tax instead of getting a refund?
If you owe tax when you file, you can pay by credit card, debit card, electronic bank transfer, or check. You can also set up a payment plan with the IRS if you cannot pay in full. To avoid this in future years, you can request withholding from your Social Security benefit using Form W-4V.
Does the IRS know I receive Social Security?
Yes. The Social Security Administration reports all benefits to the IRS. However, the IRS does not automatically file a return for you or calculate your tax. You must file yourself to report your income and claim any refund you are may have access to to.