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Social Security disability benefits and tax returns

On Behalf of | Feb 24, 2016 | Social Security Disability

It’s almost the end of February, and many residents of Ohio may be beginning to think about filing their tax returns. For most people, this means gathering one’s W-2, and deciding whether to take the standard deduction or itemize deductions. But, what about people who receive Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits? Do they need to worry about paying tax?

Actually, about one-third of people who receive Social Security benefits (of various kinds) pay taxes on some of those benefits. This usually happens to individuals who have income other than that they receive from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you receive interest or investment income that must be reported on your tax return, or if you have wages or some form of self-employment income, you may owe taxes on some of your Social Security benefits if your total household income is high enough. According to Internal Revenue Service rules, one should never have to pay tax on more than 85 percent of one’s benefits.

Ohio residents who receive SSDI benefits will get a form from the government in the mail in January or February. This form is called an SSA-1099, and it should detail all the benefits you received from Social Security over the past tax year. This information will be used to report that income on the individual’s tax return. If a person does not receive or has lost his or her 1099, he or she can request a replacement on-line or by calling the SSA’s toll free number. It is important to note that individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will not get a 1099, as SSI income is not taxable.

Having a disability that prevents one from working can complicate one’s life in many ways. Luckily, unless a person is receiving income from other sources, paying federal income tax shouldn’t be one of them. People with questions about receiving Social Security disability benefits, or the consequences thereof, may wish to consider contacting an Ohio disability attorney.

Source: palmbeachpost.com, “Social Security benefits may be taxable,” Maria Diaz, Feb. 18, 2016