Can I file taxes if my income was only SS and SSI?
Submitted by Veronica C.
Living on only social security income tells me that you are resourceful and doing a good job managing your money. (SS is the benefit that you pay into during your working years and SSI is supplemental income designed to provide additional support for specific situations.) This question is tricky because I’m not a tax professional and this falls in the area of tax planning. A tax professional is the right person to tell you exactly what to do. But that doesn’t mean I won’t give you my best thinking on resources! So here goes.
You may or may not be required to file taxes if social security benefits were your only source of income. Form 703 on the IRS website gives you an idea if you need to pay taxes on your SSI.
The other tricky part is some of your SSI may be taxable if your income is above the limits set by the IRS. This is definitely a conversation to have with a tax professional or a taxpayer advocate. Visit the website, download the form, and arm yourself with information before you seek out the info you need.
Remember that if you’re eligible for SSI, you can use VITA or TCE for all of your tax preparation. They are trained professionals and it is free! Go get ‘em!
Saundra Davis is a nationally recognized financial coach and educator. Her experience in the U.S. Navy, where she made every money mistake possible, and her 20 years serving community-based organizations led her to the reality that the best way to help people find a path out of poverty is to help them become their own financial expert.