Here’s Exactly How Social Security Gets Taxed

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  • Опубліковано 31 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 135

  • @topofmindwithterri
    @topofmindwithterri Рік тому +7

    This is why getting help from a tax professional is so important. Great video.

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому +1

      Totally agree!

    • @onlywenilaugh6589
      @onlywenilaugh6589 Рік тому +2

      Yeah, but it's not rocket science. Just read and watch videos on the subject makes it pretty easy to figure out.

    • @todddunn945
      @todddunn945 8 місяців тому

      @@onlywenilaugh6589 Or follow the instructions for Form 1040 and any other forms you file. There is a worksheet in the 1040 instructions that lets you easily calculate how much of your social security benefit is included in taxable income. Note that taxable does not necessarily mean taxed. The reason for that is that you subtract your deductions (standard or itemized) from taxable income to get your income that is actually taxed. For a couple with both aged 65 or older in 2024 that files jointly the standard deduction is $32,300. So that couple has no tax liability if their taxable income is less than $32,300 in 2024. For most retirees federal taxes are not particularly difficult or complex if income sources are limited to social security, pension and distributions from pretax accounts (401K, 403B, IRA, etc.). Things get a bit more complicated if you have dividends and capital gains because you have to file an extra form or two and use the dividends and capital gains worksheet to figure your tax, but it isn't difficult. Just follow the instructions for form 1040 and for any additional forms you might require (schedule B, schedule D, etc.). In my opinion, the only time you might want to use a "tax professional" is if you have things like business, partnership, rental or other income other than basic retirement income sources listed above.

  • @stevencole7331
    @stevencole7331 Рік тому +4

    Wow . Someone who really explained how ss and taxes work in a smimple step by step peocess . It seems many try to make it more complicated than it has to be .

  • @JD-tn5tb
    @JD-tn5tb Рік тому +5

    James Conole is so good at explaining things. Such a brilliant financial person.

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      Thank you 🙏🏼

  • @TheDealHunter
    @TheDealHunter Рік тому +9

    James - I love your content. I would like to point out that, starting in 2022, Colorado no longer taxes Social Security benefits for people 65 or older. They still have a $24k deduction for pensions, annuities and IRA withdrawals.

  • @janethunt4037
    @janethunt4037 Рік тому +3

    Great explanation! Thank you for all the examples and your commentary on this. Heading for your next video now!

  • @johnscott2746
    @johnscott2746 Рік тому +11

    It should be noted that the thresholds for figuring up your taxable Social Security were deliberately excluded from adjustment from inflation. The idea was to gradually introduce the taxation of Social Security until eventually nearly everyone would have to pay some tax on their benefits. This tax is getting to be a larger and larger portion of the funding for Social Security. It’s a pretty easy tax to avoid with a little planning. Roth IRA distributions are not included in the provisional income calculation so it is quite possible to have a six figure income and still pay no taxes.

    • @donaldcedar7574
      @donaldcedar7574 Рік тому

      Ok but why was it designed to phase itself out? Because the people who wrote the law would be dead by then and receive the full benefit? What was the logic behind that?

    • @brahmmauer7437
      @brahmmauer7437 9 місяців тому

      Exactly right. That’s what I am doing. Roth IRA’s are magical.

  • @anthonygallo3576
    @anthonygallo3576 10 місяців тому

    Your video was definitely point on. But as a person who worked my whole life was receiving a healthy pension and my wife work a whole life and is also receiving a pension I was curious how social security would text me because this year I had to pay the government an additional $28,000 on top of the $4,000 overpayment I gave them and the taxes that were coming out of my check all along. So to make a light of your video if I was a migrant coming into this country I would receive more money and pay less taxes than somebody like me who worked my entire entire life!!!. Great job and explaining it I can't wait to get back to my account and see why I had to pay so much money this year thank you so much

  • @yazminmojica4458
    @yazminmojica4458 11 місяців тому +2

    Thank you, excellent presentation 👍💯💕

  • @jestanuthername
    @jestanuthername Рік тому +2

    Great job explaining, thank you!

  • @SamuelJ6788
    @SamuelJ6788 11 місяців тому +1

    Thank you very much James. I have watched videos and read articles on how social security is taxed, and they were all confusing, until now. Your video is very, very explanatory.

  • @LamNguyen-qb4ic
    @LamNguyen-qb4ic Рік тому +2

    Thank you James for explaining how ss tax work. I really like your Chanel 👍.

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      You are very welcome

  • @rickrangel
    @rickrangel Рік тому +1

    @James Conole, CFP Well explained! Thank you for sharing.

  • @jpsmusicandmore5457
    @jpsmusicandmore5457 Рік тому

    When you and your company pays the 15,3% of my lifetime income to Social Security I do not consider it a benefit. But I love your videos and also your podcast. They are great straight forward and helpful thank you.

    • @SandfordSmythe
      @SandfordSmythe Рік тому +1

      You have your own definition of "benefit"

  • @papasquat355
    @papasquat355 11 місяців тому +1

    Those earning less than $100K/ year (over 60% of workers) don't stand a chance. Between not understanding how to effectively contribute to Roth v Traditional + something in a brokerage, all while paying increasing costs of living, puts them (intentionally on the part of the tax man) in a position in which they are likely to get completely wiped out by taxes in retirement.
    Thank you James for posting these videos, especially for those who cannot afford a CFP and are trying to make the right decisions during their working life.

  • @johncurtis920
    @johncurtis920 8 місяців тому

    A good, cogent, explanation. Thank you.

  • @CorvetteGuy3033
    @CorvetteGuy3033 Рік тому +3

    The other thing to know is that your SS "benefit" is your total benefit, i.e. gross before Medicare premium is deducted. So yes, you can end up paying taxes on the portion of your SS benefit that is pealed off to pay your Medicare premium.

  • @sheilaj4084
    @sheilaj4084 11 місяців тому

    Thank you, that was very clear!!

  • @metoo5004
    @metoo5004 Рік тому +1

    Thanks so much for the information

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      You are so welcome!

  • @Ladybug8899
    @Ladybug8899 Рік тому +1

    @Root financial Hi James would you please make a video of living in retirement at tax free state vs state tax. TIA. I enjoy your videos and also learning from it 😊

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      Good idea! I’ll add it to the list, thank you.

    • @mandypdx
      @mandypdx 9 місяців тому

      Did he ever make this? I recently moved to Washington state because of no state income tax. I work remote and by doing this, i no longer pay state income tax (my employer is in Oregon). It is nice that i can make the 20 minute drive back to oregon to avoid sales tax. (I think a lot of people have done this, considering $600k only got me a 3 bedroom townhouse in WA)

  • @andrewsdrmike
    @andrewsdrmike 6 місяців тому +9

    So the Feds spent my Social Security funds and still tax me when I claim it. What a system

  • @SantSrinivasan
    @SantSrinivasan 2 місяці тому

    How about short term and long term capital gains? Are they added to provisional income?

  • @bigdog71717
    @bigdog71717 Рік тому +3

    9:40 Very confusing statement "fewer and fewer people each year have less of their Social Security benefit taxed because of that." less than what?

    • @DougASAP
      @DougASAP Рік тому

      It is somewhat difficult to describe concisely, but in other words... There are several ~tiers~ of provisional income which result in more or less of your Social Security being taxed. The higher your provisional income, the more of your Social Security is taxed. Since the thresholds are not adjusted for inflation, like normal tax rates or retirement account contribution limits, more and more people over time are subject to having more of their Social Security taxed (50% rather than none, or 85% rather than 50%).

    • @bridgetgruich
      @bridgetgruich Рік тому

      Also IRMA goes up with SS cola.

    • @druiz012
      @druiz012 Рік тому

      Less people have untaxed social security. Thats the gist of what he said.

  • @ronaldhamme2866
    @ronaldhamme2866 Рік тому +4

    I am a huge fan. You have great content. 1 thing though, when figuring prov.income 0-25000=0%
    25000-34000 =50%
    34000+ =85%
    In your example after inflation you are 2610X50%=provisional inc =1305, NOT 2610. That's the way I learned from Josh Scanlon. I do like your stuff, I just in this situation you missed this. Or else I missed it. It's possible😊

  • @annamartino5681
    @annamartino5681 Рік тому

    That's great explanation why CFP and CPAs are telling for years that Taxes are going Up especially for those who are not realizing why and what's causing it. That how more and more Social Security Income is being automatically Taxed as designed of course for those who diligently saved and invested. 50-85% of Social Security Income is Taxed and inflation has no impact as designed for years. Sweet! ❤😂

    • @danm9290
      @danm9290 Рік тому

      It’s 0-85%, not 50-85%. At lower levels of additional income, SS is not taxed at all.

  • @zedsdead9243
    @zedsdead9243 8 місяців тому

    Could you do a video or answer a question on Railroad Retirement. Specifically how is Tier 1 taxed on NSSEB/SSEB. I believe Tier 2 is just like a pension and taxed at your federal rate.

  • @GumperVanLier
    @GumperVanLier Рік тому +1

    You say gross income but my research says adjusted gross income.

  • @jeffjuhre1494
    @jeffjuhre1494 4 місяці тому

    How about long term capital gains? Even though they are not taxed (up to $94k MFJ) I think they are included in the provisional income for calculating the taxable portion of Social Security benefits, right?

  • @thAvenueCollective
    @thAvenueCollective Рік тому

    This was great. Very understandable! Here are questions I am trying to understand about Social Security and taxes: It's about what happens when you work while collecting. I had to start collecting at 62 because I'd lost my job and could only find part time work. I've since found more part time work so my annual income is over what is allowable to earn while on Social Security. I had been told though, that even though you pay a steep penalty, since you are also paying FICO taxes on income, that it should raise your monthly benefit. But I haven't seen that happen. Is that even true? I've also read that sometimes they miscalculate what your benefit should be; how would I find someone to double check my benefit to make sure I'm getting all I should? Thank you!

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      Yes sometimes they can miscalculate your benefit so it’s good to double check. You do end up getting some of the benefit back that they withheld after your full retirement age

  • @slickwillie9526
    @slickwillie9526 10 місяців тому

    Is Roth distributions included in provisional income?

    • @OldManDave1960
      @OldManDave1960 8 місяців тому +1

      Withdrawals from a Roth IRA do not count towards your provisional income.

  • @skeller61
    @skeller61 Рік тому

    You talked about tax free bonds being added into your provisional income. How about Roth distributions? I’m a couple of years from 65, which is when I plan to leave my job. I don’t plan to start taking SS until 67, which gives me a couple of years of low income in which I could convert some of my traditional IRA to Roth. My retirement income will not be over a 22% tax bracket. My SS income will be ~$32,000.
    It looks like, if Roth is not added back to provisional income, it would be worthwhile to do a lot of Roth conversions, up to the limits of the 24% tax bracket.
    Thanks for the info, it looks like I’ll have to research this some more!

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      Roth distributions are not added to provisional income

    • @skeller61
      @skeller61 Рік тому

      @@RootFP Thanks a lot! This will mean more homework, but it’ll definitely be worth it.

  • @brindacockburn4033
    @brindacockburn4033 6 місяців тому

    Would be nice if you showed visual examples

  • @MLIOGJXNUYAT
    @MLIOGJXNUYAT Рік тому +1

    Ok, "up to 85%" is taxable. How do I compute the exact %?

  • @michaelswami
    @michaelswami Рік тому +2

    When you reach the thresholds, does it mean your entire social security benefit is included in the calculation? I’m other words, does making one extra dollar cause the entire percentage to be added to taxable Income?

    • @DAVE720294
      @DAVE720294 Рік тому

      I have the same question. I suspect it is a trigger that once crossed all of the social security received that tax year would be taxed at 85% (for example ) as soon as that last dollar crosses the threshold. I'll plan for that as a worst case until I can info otherwise.

    • @kennethprice4292
      @kennethprice4292 Рік тому

      No and that is what he fails to explain. Thresholds are much like tax brackets. You don’t apply the whole number. It’s only the portion that falls in between the brackets or in this case, the thresholds.

    • @laurawomack8623
      @laurawomack8623 9 місяців тому

      @@kennethprice4292 Thank you. Crystal clear now.

  • @11Hammers
    @11Hammers Рік тому +4

    Fewer people have their SS income taxed because the provisional income threshold remained the same. This seems counterintuitive to me. Wouldn’t this cause more of your SS to be taxed as inflation adjusts?

    • @donaldlee6760
      @donaldlee6760 Рік тому

      I also think this was a slip of the tongue. More ss will become taxable as the years go by

    • @JC-hd2tt
      @JC-hd2tt Рік тому

      He said it correctly but it is confusing. Each year, fewer people have less of their SS benefits taxed, meaning each year greater people have more of their SS benefits taxed.

  • @pdfull
    @pdfull Рік тому +1

    We were already taxed on SS contributions.

  • @88888gerald
    @88888gerald 2 місяці тому

    except what we are looking for is...how does social security get untaxed? and when it will happen....

  • @pjpips5049
    @pjpips5049 Рік тому

    I will be collecting $25800 from ssdi. Do I pay taxes on the entire $25800 or just on the $800

  • @kito1san
    @kito1san 2 місяці тому

    Ok. Long story short. Looking at the paycheck and what's taken. Federal and state had taken taxes on the gross income. Social security tax (withholding) taken at 6.2%, which looks to be after tax as fed and state calculated base on the gross income. if that is the case, social security looks to be taxed as the whole amount gross income is taxed. To be fair, when you get your SSI during retirement, it shouldn't be taxed if that is your only source of income. In 2024, only 8 states still gets SSI taxed for whatever reason.
    The only exception I see is the other half your employer pays on SS 6.2%. say you put $5, your employer also has to put in $5. Your $5 as I calculated has factor the fed and state taxes from the gross income. So technically taxes are paid. However the employer $5. I not sure if it's paid and if it's not paid, then perhaps it's the catch where SSI needs to pay taxes during the retirement withdrawals on SSI.

  • @josevalverde2263
    @josevalverde2263 10 місяців тому

    Is salary from a job considered provisional income?

  • @WayneBeyenhof-s4e
    @WayneBeyenhof-s4e 8 місяців тому +1

    My goodness between fed and state sales real-estate gas ss do people in certainstates like me paying half our income to taxes. So why amount to something the government takes it and passes it on to wastefull

  • @Gary65437
    @Gary65437 Рік тому

    Good to know. I'll try to keep my cap gains, int and divs @25K or below so my S20K SS is not taxed. If that's correct. And maybe favor qualified divs over ordinary income.

  • @Jim-re5nx
    @Jim-re5nx 6 місяців тому +2

    I sure do not want to give up the $74000 in income on top of my SS just to save a few thousands in taxes.

  • @donaldcedar7574
    @donaldcedar7574 Рік тому

    Why does the 0% bracket for provisional income go from a max of $25,000 for a single person to $32,000 for married filing jointly? That's only a 24.5% increase. Whats the logic behind that?

    • @donaldcedar7574
      @donaldcedar7574 Рік тому

      Like... should you get fuckin divorced when you start pulling in SS? Wouldn't that be logical?

  • @xnavyro
    @xnavyro Рік тому

    Correction, you said that regular income is taxed at 7.65% but Medicare is taxed @ 1.45% which is unlimited & SSA is taxed at 6.2% up to an amount which changes per year, totally 7.65% A small change but worthy of mention for those of us still working beyond full Social Security age.

  • @warrenpeece1726
    @warrenpeece1726 10 місяців тому +1

    You forgot that the "contributions" that we make while working are taxed as well.

    • @carolinecollins2441
      @carolinecollins2441 8 місяців тому

      You will likely get much more in SS benefits than you put in during your working years.

  • @rodbutler4054
    @rodbutler4054 4 місяці тому

    The social security tax for retired folks has not been updated for inflation and more people are now taxed because of this.

  • @MADMAX839
    @MADMAX839 Рік тому +2

    It’s too bad, that in 2023, there isn’t a very user friendly, simple app whereby one could plug in 3 or 4 numbers and have the specific info they’re looking for. Amazing how something so pervasive, so applicable to 99% of everyone, isn’t easier to calculate. That said, thank you for making as easy as you can given the tools you/we have.

  • @wdwdreamer9579
    @wdwdreamer9579 Рік тому

    I have watched several UA-cam videos and read several websites, all claiming to address how social security benefits are taxed. They all seem to gloss over one KEY fact. If your provisional income is high enough to result in a tax on your benefits, only the portion of your provisional income over the limit is taxable. If I take the example used in this video after the COLA adjustment and plug it into the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant, it will tell you that, of the $32,610 in social security benefit received, the portion taxed is only $653. That’s 50% of the difference between the provisional income of $26,503 and the threshold of $25,000. As one other person mention, I believe Josh Scandlen has explained this in one of his videos. Do I have this wrong? If not, why isn’t this addressed in any of the videos on this topic. It seems like the video is horribly incomplete without it.

  • @josevalverde2263
    @josevalverde2263 10 місяців тому

    What if you are working making 40k yearly and getting 20k in ss?

  • @hownwen
    @hownwen 10 місяців тому

    New sub. Thank you. I really like how you explained this. Hoping your other videos are the same.

  • @webster60cl42
    @webster60cl42 Рік тому

    Thank you.

  • @Bondbeer
    @Bondbeer 5 місяців тому

    For me I still pay 50% more tax on my other income compared to SS. 24% fed plus 6% state vs 20% fed and zero state.

  • @billhowe8292
    @billhowe8292 Рік тому

    You say, tax free municipal interest gets included in your Provisional Income. Does this mean the tax free T-Bill interest is also included?

  • @AbeFroman-zx5hs
    @AbeFroman-zx5hs 5 місяців тому

    If one’s sole income is social security it’s almost impossible to be taxed at all. Here’s why. It’s 99% probable that one with only SS as income had a history of relatively low income.
    Let’s use average which I’m sure is much higher. That’s 18k. 1/2 is 9k. Even before Standard deduction it’s Zero. Let’s do married with two SS. 36k. 1/2 is 18. Again. Doesn’t even reach 32k.
    I know you alluded to it a few times but I I would have emphasized the max SS can get taxed is 85% of total SD. This applies as you know to people who have substantial PI.

  • @jimhayes4240
    @jimhayes4240 Рік тому +1

    I think you meant “more” of your social security is taxed!

  • @minhkha3382
    @minhkha3382 5 місяців тому

    Came here after reading “The Power of of Zero” to get more clarification on how social security is taxed :)

  • @michaelsmith9078
    @michaelsmith9078 Рік тому +7

    Why is Social Security taxed in the first place - and what can do you do to minimize this tax?

    • @davidfunvideos
      @davidfunvideos Рік тому +2

      Not advice: As I understand it Withdraws from Roth accounts are not considered Provisional income. Also for estate planning, I was told by a lawyer that traditional 401K and IRA have heavy inheritance tax placed on distribution if you need to put the money in a trust (For example special needs trust). This information lacking in most information you find on the web. If your money is going into a trust please talk to a CPA and an attorney. If you have a special needs dependent you may need to do this early.

    • @johngill2853
      @johngill2853 Рік тому +4

      Social Security is taxed because you never paid taxes on your employer's contributions or for the gain in value from your initial contributions.

    • @ordinaryhuman5645
      @ordinaryhuman5645 Рік тому +3

      Social security is taxed because it's income, and governments tax income.
      What can you do to minimize the tax? The same thing you to do minimize any other income-based tax; reduce your income.

    • @tbillroth
      @tbillroth Рік тому

      ​@@ordinaryhuman5645It is a way to transfer money from the Social Security trust fund to general revenue and reduce benefits for high income recipients. The byzantine formula tells you there is more involved than simply taxing income

    • @SandfordSmythe
      @SandfordSmythe Рік тому

      SS was taxed as part of the 1983 bi-partisan effort to save SS. It is supposed to lower the SS benefits for the rich by taxing them and returning this money back to the SS Fund.

  • @MyWasteOfTime
    @MyWasteOfTime 5 місяців тому +1

    Missouri now no longer taxes SS income!

  • @rickdunn3883
    @rickdunn3883 Рік тому

    What is the SS Tax Torpedo? Is that real or hype?

    • @johngill2853
      @johngill2853 Рік тому

      Real
      It's when a spouse dies and the other spouse has to take large RMDS as a single filer

  • @tedlahm5740
    @tedlahm5740 10 місяців тому

    80% of the PRODUCTS I purchase each year are Produced By workers
    in other countries.
    Question, Do these diligent workers PAY our Social Security Taxes?

  • @ninajohnson6578
    @ninajohnson6578 Рік тому

    New Mexico only taxes for income above $100,000 for an individual. The law just changed.

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      Yes a lot of states have recently changed how they tax social security

  • @MrCPPG
    @MrCPPG Рік тому

    Do Roth IRA distributions count in your provisional income?

    • @OldManDave1960
      @OldManDave1960 8 місяців тому

      Withdrawals from a Roth IRA do not count towards your provisional income.

  • @georgiamayberry2739
    @georgiamayberry2739 6 місяців тому +1

    How I the hell can Social Security get taxed everyone has all ready paid taxes on this money .

  • @onlywenilaugh6589
    @onlywenilaugh6589 Рік тому

    Not really a benefit as SS should never get taxed since you pay into it your entire life. But since it is, might as well make the best of it eh. Just like the government, force you to pay into a system that then taxes you later when you need that money. And the waste is terrible. And so much for tax free interest, since it plays a role in whether your SS is taxed and at what level. So it's really a tax for some.

  • @ramonlong1079
    @ramonlong1079 10 місяців тому

    It is taxed 3 times.

  • @wlc2195
    @wlc2195 Рік тому

    I saw a news about Missouri becoming the 40th state that does not tax the social security, starting 2024. Does that apply to all social security incomes for all seniors?

  • @jamesgriffith7165
    @jamesgriffith7165 10 місяців тому

    West Virginia taxes Social Security. Your list of 11 states you don’t pay Social security is not accurate!

  • @MomandBuggs
    @MomandBuggs 3 місяці тому

    Is provisional income your adjusted gross income?

  • @robinkoenig
    @robinkoenig Рік тому

    These provisional income levels are so low (poverty level) that 85% of your social security will be taxed unless you are living in a tent.

    • @RootFP
      @RootFP  Рік тому

      Yes most people end up having at least a portion of their social security taxed.

    • @maggiemay8622
      @maggiemay8622 Рік тому

      It’s ridiculous that we pay taxes on SS and yet millionaires and billionaires don’t pay any taxes 🤯🤯🤬

    • @scottdunn1371
      @scottdunn1371 9 місяців тому

      That is simply not accurate. The top 10% of earners paid 76% of the taxes according to the most recent stats. Look it up. There may be one individual in one certain year that did not pay taxes due to prior year carry over losses, but the big picture shows that the rich pay for almost everything. I do agree it is ridiculous we are taxed on SS.

  • @gregoryhaines1138
    @gregoryhaines1138 6 днів тому

    Your first example is poor, use round numbers in the 3 groups, 10k, 40k,100k.

  • @miketheyunggod2534
    @miketheyunggod2534 Рік тому

    Work for cash.

  • @genehart261
    @genehart261 10 місяців тому

    Unless you live below the poverty level you will pay taxes.

  • @yazminmojica4458
    @yazminmojica4458 2 місяці тому

    👏💯💙

  • @tcbridges
    @tcbridges Рік тому

    Ok Help here Married couple we get $4136 and $1655 combing SS also a small $600 Pension living in Pennsylvania and have $850,000 cash under the pillow Forgot we are 70 and 76

  • @rebfan9200
    @rebfan9200 8 місяців тому

    What a rip off!!!

  • @pauloakwood9208
    @pauloakwood9208 8 місяців тому

    What a racket. You pay into this scheme your entire working life and when it comes time to draw on all your hard work, the pukes still want to tax you.

  • @IsidroDenmary
    @IsidroDenmary Рік тому +1

    I love your content; will it be okay If I'll send you an email. I want to collaborate with you.🙏