How to check if Social Security withholds taxes from monthly benefits?

Social Security doesn't automatically withhold taxes unless you specifically requested it by filing Form W-4V. If you look at your benefit verification letter in your MySocialSecurity account, it will show your gross benefit amount. If you're seeing exactly $2,238 deposited, then no taxes are being withheld. About 40% of beneficiaries end up owing taxes on their benefits, especially if you have other income like your part-time job.

You need to look at your benefit verification letter in your MySocialSecurity account. Log in, click on "Benefits & Payments" then "Benefit Verification Letter." This document will show your gross benefit and any deductions, including tax withholding. Since you're working part-time, you likely will owe taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits depending on your combined income. You can request tax withholding by completing Form W-4V and selecting 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% withholding rate.

My mom had the same issue last year!!! She didn't withhold and got hit with a HUGE tax bill. Her and dad almost couldn't pay it. Social security doesn't make this clear AT ALL when you sign up. It's so frustrating!!

just call them and ask they can tell you right away. but goodluck getting through to them lol

If you're working part-time making $18k plus getting $26,856/yr in SS benefits, you'll almost certainly owe taxes. For individuals, if your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of SS benefits) exceeds $25,000, up to 50% of benefits are taxable. Above $34,000, up to 85% becomes taxable. With your numbers, you're around $44,000 combined income, so withholding is a good idea. I'd suggest filing that W-4V form for 10% withholding to start.

When I first started collecting in 2024, I was SHOCKED at how difficult it was to reach someone at Social Security to answer these exact questions! After getting disconnected 5 times and waiting on hold for hours, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to a real agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent was able to set up my tax withholding right over the phone and explain exactly how it would appear on my statements. Saved me a ton of headache!

my neighbor said he just sets aside 15% of his SS check each month in a separate savings account for taxes. been doing it for 5 years and says it works better than withholding because sometimes the government takes too much or too little.

anyone else notice how the SS website is ALWAYS down for maintenance when you actually need to use it? so frustrating!!

To directly answer your question about checking - if you get a Form SSA-1099 in January/February, it will show in Box 3 if any federal taxes were withheld during the previous year. Since 2025 just started, you won't have this form yet for your benefits. Going forward, the easiest way to verify withholding is to check your bank deposits against your gross benefit amount. A difference (besides Medicare premiums) would indicate tax withholding.