Question

Linda, who filed as a single taxpayer in 2019, received $180,000 in social security benefits. Linda's AGI of $38,000 before any social security benefits was a taxable distribution from a retirement plan. Linda also received $500 of tax-exempt interest. What amount of Linda's social security benefit is taxable in 2019?

Answer 1

Answer:

According to the IRS, the quick way to see if you will pay taxes on your Social Social Security income is to take one half of your Social Security benefits and add that amount to all your other income, including tax-exempt interest. This number is known as your combined income (combined income = adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your Social Security benefits).

Here , combined income = $38,000+$500+($180,000*0.5) = $128,500.

If your combined income is above a certain limit (the IRS calls this limit the base amount), you will need to pay at least some tax.

The limit is $25,000 if you are a single filer, head of household or qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child. The limit for joint filers is $32,000. If you are married filing separately, you will likely have to pay taxes on your Social Security income.

If your Social Security income is taxable, the amount you pay in tax will depend on your total combined retirement income. However, you will never pay taxes on more than 85% of your Social Security income. If you file as an individual with a total income that’s less than $25,000, you won’t have to pay taxes on your social security benefits in 2020, according to the Social Security Administration.

For the 2019 and 2020 tax years, single filers with a combined income of $25,000 to $34,000 must pay income taxes on up to 50% of their Social Security benefits. If your combined income was more than $34,000, you will pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits.

Therefore, amount of Linda’s social security benefit is taxable in 2019 = $180,000*0.85 = $153,000.

Thank you.