We're approaching the 2025 Tax Season deadline quickly, and if you're a Supplemental Security Income recipient, you might want to consider filing this year, even if you have no obligation to do so.
If you're wondering why you'd want to put yourself through finding a good tax preparer or doing your taxes yourself, the answer is easy: You could be eligible for tax credits, which could, in turn, come back to you as a refund. And you won't know if you don't file. Below, we'll cover what you should look out for and what types of credit you could potentially be eligible for.
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Are Supplemental Security Income payments taxable?
No, your Supplemental Security Income payments aren't taxable, as they aren't considered earned income. This also means that if you are a beneficiary, you aren't required to file taxes. SSI benefits are primarily for eligible individuals with limited income and certain disabilities, though others can qualify depending on the situation.
Read more: How to apply for Supplemental Security Income
Should I file my taxes even if I don't have to?
Though it's not required to file taxes if you receive Supplemental Security Income benefits, it doesn't mean you shouldn't. The biggest and most obvious reason is that you could potentially receive a tax refund by filing -- so if you opt not to file a tax return, you're potentially leaving money on the table.
In addition to a standard tax refund, you may also be eligible for additional benefits, like a child tax credit or earned income tax credit.
What type of tax credits can SSI recipients get?
As mentioned above, if you receive Supplemental Security Income, you can receive tax credits if you meet certain criteria.
If you have children aged 17 or younger, depending on your income, you could receive a child tax credit (CTC) up to $2,000 per child.
You could also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is designated for low- to moderate-income workers and families. Qualifying individuals can use the credit to reduce the taxes you owe or increase your refund.
Your tax refund may be delayed if you qualify for and claim the CTC or EITC. The IRS is required by law to issue tax refunds for individuals who claim one of these tax credits no sooner than mid-February. This applies to your entire tax refund, not just the tax credit.
If you qualified for the EITC in previous years but did not claim it, you can still claim it for up to the past three years.
How can I find out how much SSI money I received in 2024?
If you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits, you should have received a notice in the mail by January 2025 that detailed all monies that were paid to you for the previous year. This notice is also available within your My Social Security account, which we recommend you sign up for if you don't already have one.
If you only receive Supplemental Security Income, you won't get a letter with how much you received in government benefits since these funds aren't taxable. However, you can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office.
For more, don't miss how to estimate your Social Security benefits with this free tool.