Social Security and Taxes in 2026: How Much Is Taxable?
Many retirees are surprised to learn that Social Security benefits can be subject to federal income tax. Whether your benefits are taxable, and to what degree, depends on your combined income, a calculation that includes your other income sources alongside your Social Security payments. For the 2026 filing season covering the 2025 tax year, understanding how Social Security is taxed helps you plan withdrawals from other accounts, manage your withholding, and avoid unexpected tax bills.[1][2]
Which Social Security Benefits Are Taxable?
Federal taxation applies to Social Security retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Supplemental Security Income payments are not the same as Social Security and are never taxed.[1][3]
Up to 85 percent of your Social Security benefits can be included in your taxable income, but the exact percentage depends on your combined income, not your gross income.[2]
How Combined Income Is Calculated
The IRS uses a formula called combined income (sometimes called provisional income) to determine how much of your Social Security benefits is taxable:[1][2]
Combined Income = Adjusted Gross Income + Nontaxable Interest + 50 percent of Social Security benefits
This calculation includes income from wages, self-employment, pension income, distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, taxable dividends, capital gains, and interest, even if the interest is from tax-exempt municipal bonds.[3]
The Three Tiers of Social Security Taxation
Based on your combined income and filing status, your Social Security benefits fall into one of three tiers:[1][2]
No taxation: Combined income below $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married filing jointly. Zero percent of your benefits are taxable
Partial taxation: Combined income between $25,000 and $34,000 (single) or $32,000 and $44,000 (joint). Up to 50 percent of benefits may be included in taxable income
Maximum taxation: Combined income above $34,000 (single) or $44,000 (joint). Up to 85 percent of benefits may be included in taxable income
An Illustrative Example
Consider a single filer with the following income in 2025: $18,000 in IRA distributions, $1,500 in interest income, and $20,000 in Social Security benefits. Their combined income is calculated as $18,000 plus $1,500 plus $10,000 (half of Social Security), totaling $29,500. This falls in the $25,000 to $34,000 range, meaning up to 50 percent of their Social Security benefits may be taxable. The actual taxable amount is calculated using IRS worksheets found in Publication 915.[1][3]
How to Reduce the Taxable Portion of Social Security
Since combined income drives how much of your Social Security is taxable, managing your other income sources can reduce taxation on your benefits:[1][2]
Convert traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA in lower-income years before taking Social Security, since Roth distributions do not count toward combined income
Delay taking Social Security until a year when other income is lower to benefit from the tax-free or low-tax window
Use qualified charitable distributions from an IRA to satisfy charitable goals without adding to combined income
Consider the source of investment income, as tax-exempt interest from municipal bonds still counts toward combined income
Manage IRA distributions strategically to keep combined income below key thresholds
State Taxation of Social Security
In addition to federal taxation, several states also tax Social Security benefits to varying degrees. Some states fully exempt Social Security from state income tax, while others partially tax it or fully include it in taxable income. The rules vary significantly by state, so verify your state's treatment of Social Security income when planning your overall tax strategy.[2][3]
Withholding From Social Security
You can request that the Social Security Administration withhold federal income tax from your monthly benefit payments. Withholding rates of 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent are available and can be elected by submitting Form W-4V to the SSA. This can help you avoid a large tax bill or underpayment penalty when you file.[1][2]
Conclusion
Social Security taxation is determined by your combined income, not your total Social Security benefit amount alone. By understanding the income thresholds that trigger taxation and managing your other income sources thoughtfully, you can minimize how much of your benefits are subject to tax. Strategic planning around IRA distributions, Roth conversions, and charitable giving can reduce your tax burden while maintaining the income you need in retirement.[1][2][3]
Sources
[1] IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits, IRS.gov
[2] Social Security Administration, Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits, SSA.gov
[3] AARP, How Social Security Is Taxed, aarp.org
