Can I File Taxes If I'm on SSI Disability?
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is designed to help taxpayers who are elderly and disabled pay for food, clothing, housing and other necessities. Unlike Social Security retirement income or Social Security disability, SSI is paid from the general fund of the Treasury and not from Social Security tax.
- Whereas Social Security retirement income and Social Security disability may be subject to tax, SSI is in a protected category of income which is not subject to federal tax. If you receive SSI, then you will not receive an SSA-1099 in the mail and you are not required to file tax on your income.
- You can't file taxes for nontaxable income. If the only income you receive is SSI, then you can't file a return. You can, however, file a return if you earn additional income that places your gross income above the income limit. For example, taxpayers over the age of 65 are required to file a return if they are single and their gross income exceeds $10,750 if single, $20,900 if married filing jointly, $3,650 if married filing separately, $13,450 if head of household and $16,150 if qualifying widower. If your income in addition to SSI, such as pensions or annuities, exceeds the filing limit, then you are required to file a tax return. You are not, however, required to list your SSI on your return.
- Since SSI is not taxed, it is not treated as ordinary income by the IRS and thus, recipients may not be eligible for some tax benefits. For example, taxpayers whose only source of income was SSI were not eligible for the stimulus rebates that were paid in 2008 and 2009, as SSI was not considered qualifying income.
- If you require additional assistance in determining the taxability of your income, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040. If you are over age 60, you can take advantage of the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (TCE). Through this program, the IRS and AARP partner to provide free tax help to elderly taxpayers. Call (888) 227-7669 to find a local TCE site in your area.
