TERRE HAUTE — Shakespeare wrote “Beware the Ides of March,” but that was before tax day found a resting place on April 15 of each year. Let us help you “be aware” of some Social Security tax tips by answering some of the most common questions we receive about taxes and Social Security.
Are Social Security benefits taxable? Sometimes. About one third of beneficiaries pay taxes on their Social Security. If your total income, including Social Security and all of your other taxable income, is $25,000 or more, you’ll need to pay federal taxes on your benefits. That amount is $32,000 for married couples filing a joint return.
Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits? Yes, and you should have already received it. Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2008 were mailed to beneficiaries and should have been received by January 31, 2009. If you receive Social Security and haven’t received your 1099, you can request one at secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1099.
We had a baby in 2008. Do we need a Social Security number for our taxes? Yes. Most parents apply for their baby’s Social Security number while still in the hospital at the same time they apply for the birth certificate. But if you didn’t, you’ll need to apply for your child’s Social Security number in order to claim the child as a dependent on your tax return. You’ll also need it if you ever apply for government benefits on behalf of the child or your family.
I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security? Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order or for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security. Make sure you change your name with your employer as well. If you change with one source but not the other, it could cause your earnings to be improperly recorded. You can learn more about Social Security numbers and how to change your name in Social Security’s records at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Does Social Security have any advice to make tax filing and future benefit applications go smoothly? We strongly encourage you to carefully check that your name, Social Security number and all of the data on your W-2s and on your Social Security Statement is correct. A mismatch could delay your tax refund and might cause problems with your Social Security benefits in the future. Such errors are easy to fix now. If you do notice an error, you should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or if the incorrect information is on the W-2s, contact the personnel department of your employer.
Be aware of these Social Security tax tips, and you won’t be caught off-guard. For more information about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov
Seniors
Social security: Beware of tax pointers
- Seniors
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Mobility devices under the ADA: free audio conference Aug. 21
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But newly entitled and current Medicare beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan might think of November as the time for thinking about Medicare. -
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James L. Martin said he started The 60 Plus Association in 1992 “as a competitor with the AARP [American Association of Retired Persons]. We are for limited government and are more right of center philosophically. The AARP is a more liberal philosophy. They sell a lot of products, we don’t. We’re hawking limited government and less taxes.” -
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Terre Haute resident Mary Baker owns an automobile, but says she can’t drive it to Indianapolis to seek medical attention.
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Social Security: Ensure retirement, disability, survivors protection for farm workers
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The spring planting season has ended, but the farm work has only begun. - Senior Menu: June 24, 2010
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Attention students: Are you ready for your summer jobs?
Summer is right around the corner. Now is the time to plan for that summer job you really want.
Whether you find the perfect outdoor job at a summer camp or the local golf course, or you get to practice your people skills in retail, fast food or an amusement park, one thing’s for sure: Nothing’s better than having fun this summer while earning a few extra dollars. -
SOCIAL SECURITY: New 'twist' in law may help your mom
Mom has always been there to nurture and take care of you. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to give back and look out for her. If she’s having a hard time paying for her prescription drugs, tell her about the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and the extra help available through Social Security.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Call SS toll-free anytime
Telephones certainly have made our lives easier. Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without your cell phone? Now imagine life without telephones at all.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Here's to a green planet in retirement
Social Security has been practicing environmental stewardship since long before “going green” was a fashionable catch-phrase.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Ticket to Work offers free support services
Millions of disabled and blind Americans receive monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income payments. Some receive both. Most also have help in paying medical bills from Medicare or Medicaid.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Most convenient SS office is online
You probably don’t need anyone to tell you that times are tough for many people right now. The past year has seen a recession-driven increase in applications for Social Security retirement and disability benefit applications. These increases translate into busier offices and telephone lines.
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Social Security has rich history full of facts
When you think of Social Security, you probably think about a monthly payment for retired and disabled workers. But Social Security has a rich history full of interesting facts.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: SS shares March reminders
Time goes by so quickly, it can be easy to forget important deadlines and even easier to let critical items fall to the nether regions of your to-do list. Whether you get to everything or not, time marches on — so we’d like to share some March reminders with you.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: SS launches Open Government page
In support of President Barack Obama’s Transparency and Open Government initiative, Social Security has launched a new Open Government Web page.
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