Social Security tax form question - started receiving benefits while working full-time

You'll need to wait for your SSA-1099 form, which the Social Security Administration should mail to you by the end of January. This form shows the total benefits you received during the tax year (those two payments from November and December). Since you're working full-time, depending on your income level, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits might be taxable. Make sure to give both your W-2 from your employer and the SSA-1099 to your tax preparer.

Thank you! Good to know I need to wait for that SSA-1099 form. Is there any way to access it online if it doesn't come in the mail? And do I need to be doing any special withholding since I'm working? I don't want a surprise tax bill.

my mom got her first check in December last year and the 1099 came mid-January, you should get yours soon

Thanks for letting me know! I'll keep an eye out for it.

You definitely need to wait for the SSA-1099 form before filing your taxes. This typically arrives by late January, but they should have it available in your my Social Security account online around the same time if you've set that up.Here's something else to consider since you're working full-time while collecting benefits: if you're under Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is between 66-67 depending on your birth year, you might be subject to the Earnings Test where Social Security withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the annual limit ($21,240 in 2025). Also, given your situation, you might want to consider having federal taxes withheld from your Social Security benefits by filing Form W-4V with the SSA. This can help prevent an unexpected tax bill since your combined income (work + SS benefits) could push you into a higher tax bracket.

Thank you so much for the detailed information! I didn't know about that earnings limit or the W-4V form. I just turned 67 last August so I think I'm at my FRA - does that mean the earnings limit doesn't apply to me? I'll definitely look into setting up that online account to get my 1099 faster.

DONT FORGET they tax your ss bennefits if you make too much from your job!! i got BURNED last year, had to pay almost $1400 because nobdoy told me about this stupid rule. make sure your tax guy knows your still working full time

Yes! This happened to my husband too! If your provisional income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your Social Security benefits) exceeds $25,000 for individuals or $32,000 for couples filing jointly, up to 50% of benefits may be taxable. Above $34,000 individual/$44,000 joint, up to 85% may be taxable. It's crazy how they don't make this clear when you sign up!

I have a question related to this - I'm planning to start my SS benefits next year while still working part-time. Does anyone know if I need to make quarterly estimated tax payments on the SS benefits, or can I just wait and pay any taxes due when I file my return? I'm so confused about the whole process.

You have a few options: 1) You can have voluntary federal tax withholding from your SS benefits by completing Form W-4V, 2) You can make quarterly estimated tax payments, or 3) If you have another job, you can increase your withholding there to cover the additional tax from SS benefits. The best approach depends on your overall tax situation.

I tried calling the SSA to ask this EXACT question last week and spent 3 hours on hold before getting disconnected TWICE. So frustrating! Then I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual SSA agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent confirmed I needed the SSA-1099 and that they start mailing them in January. She also helped me set up my online account so I could access the form electronically. Saved me so much time and frustration!

does this really work? i've been trying to reach someone about my husband's application for weeks

It worked great for me! My neighbor told me about it after she spent days trying to get through about her widow benefits. They don't answer the questions themselves - they just get you connected to a real SSA agent quickly.

If you have a my Social Security account online, you can actually print your SSA-1099 yourself after January 31st. Go to my Social Security, log in, look under the

I remember my first year on Social Security - what a tax nightmare! I had no idea about any of this stuff. To make matters worse, I moved that year and my 1099 got lost in the mail. I think they need to make all this clearer when you first sign up for benefits. I learned that up to 85% of your Social Security can be taxed depending on your other income. Ridiculous if you ask me - we already paid taxes on our contributions during our working years!

AGREE!!! double taxation is what it is. and they wonder why people get upset with the goverment

Just to add one more important point: If you've just started collecting Social Security in November 2024, your benefit amount might be different in 2025 due to the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This adjustment took effect with December 2024 benefits (payable in January 2025). Make sure to budget accordingly for any tax implications based on your new benefit amount going forward.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful answers! I'll keep an eye out for the SSA-1099 in the mail, but I'm also going to set up my online account to access it there if needed. Since I'm past FRA, it sounds like I don't need to worry about the earnings limit, which is a relief. I'll look into that W-4V form to have some taxes withheld from my SS benefits going forward to avoid a surprise tax bill. This community has been incredibly helpful!