Index/Topics/Social Security benefit taxation

Social Security benefit taxation

The taxation of Social Security benefits is determined by a formula that considers adjusted gross income, tax-exempt interest, and half of Social Security benefits. This formula is used to calculate the portion of benefits that must be included on Form 1040.

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Jan 20, 2026
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What is the step‑by‑step calculation in IRS Publication 915 for determining taxable Social Security benefits?

Publication 915 lays out a deterministic worksheet method to decide how much — if any — of Social Security (or Tier 1 railroad) benefits are included in federal gross income: compute a provisional inc...

Jan 23, 2026
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How do IRA withdrawals and Roth conversions affect combined income for Social Security taxation?

Traditional IRA withdrawals and can materially change the “combined” or provisional income that determines whether Social Security benefits are taxable: ordinary taxable distributions and the taxable ...

Jan 21, 2026
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How do lump‑sum Social Security payments affect Worksheet A calculations and taxable amounts under Pub. 915?

payments change how taxpayers compute the by forcing a re‑calculation for the earlier year involved and by offering a “lump‑sum election” that can sometimes reduce current‑year taxable benefits; provi...

Jan 15, 2026

Which types of income are included in provisional income for Social Security taxation?

Provisional income — also called combined income — is the IRS construct used to decide whether and how much of a person’s Social Security benefits are taxable, and it is calculated by adding one-half ...

Jan 8, 2026

will the irs still tax ss benefits for retired seniors in 2026?

Yes — Social Security benefits can still be federally taxable for retired seniors in tax year 2026, but changes enacted in 2025 and state-level rollbacks mean many retirees will face reduced or no fed...

Jan 18, 2026

How does IRS Publication 915 worksheet A compute the taxable portion of Social Security benefits step by step?

Publication 915’s Worksheet A is the IRS’s stepwise calculator that determines whether any portion of Social Security (or equivalent Tier 1 railroad) benefits is taxable by combining half of the benef...

Feb 3, 2026

How will the SECURE 2.0 RMD changes for 2026 affect taxable income calculations for Social Security benefits?

The changes that take effect around 2026 alter when and how much retirees must withdraw from tax-deferred accounts and change several and employer-plan rules; those changes can materially affect the M...

Jan 21, 2026

What are the specific base amounts and thresholds by filing status used in Publication 915 for calculating taxable Social Security benefits?

The ’s Publication 915 uses specific “base amounts” and higher thresholds tied to filing status to decide whether none, up to 50%, or up to 85% of (and equivalent Tier I railroad) benefits are ; the p...