It’s Tax Time

Whether you will have to pay federal income tax on your Social Security benefits depends on your combined income:

If you file as an individual:

• Up to $25,000: No tax
• $25,000–$34,000: Up to 50% of your benefits may be taxed.
• More than $34,000: Up to 85% of your benefits may be taxed.

If you file a joint return:

• Up to $32,000: No tax
• $32,000–$44,000: Up to 50% of your benefits may be taxed.
• More than $44,000: Up to 85% of your benefits may be taxed.

Social Security benefits are still taxed under current tax law and considered a part of a recipient’s taxable income. However, the 2025 Tax Act (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) introduced a temporary deduction that allows eligible beneficiaries to lower their overall taxable income and reduce their tax.

The new senior deduction allows eligible seniors and their spouses who are 65 or older to deduct up to $6,000 each from their taxable income for tax years 2025 through 2028. There are adjusted gross income limits to this deduction. It is only available to single filers making less than $75,000 or couples making less than $150,000.