Do Stimulus Checks Increase the Tax on Social Security Benefits?

The answer to this question comes down to whether a stimulus check increases "provisional income."

We've had two rounds of stimulus checks so far and another round is likely. It's nice getting unexpected money and for some people it's a life saver. Whatever your situation, I  hope you're able to put the money to good use. But many seniors are wondering how these stimulus checks are going to impact their taxes – especially the tax on Social Security benefits. It's almost time to file your 2020 tax return, and nobody likes an unpleasant surprise at tax time. Hopefully, if you're a retiree, I can put your mind at easy about stimulus checks and taxes on your Social Security benefits. 

How Social Security Benefits Are Taxed

Let's start by explaining how Uncle Sam taxes Social Security benefits. The federal government can tax up to 85% of your Social Security benefits. To figure the tax on your benefits, you first need to determine your "provisional income." This is equal to the total of (1) 50% of your Social Security benefits, (2) your tax-exempt interest, and (3) your adjusted gross income (not including the student loan interest deduction or the tuition and fees deduction). 

If you're single, none of your Social Security benefits are taxed if your provisional income is less than $25,000. If your provisional income is between $25,000 and $34,000, then up to 50% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. If your provisional income is more than $34,000, then up to 85% of your benefits may be taxed.

For married couples filing a join return, your Social Security benefits are safe if your provisional income is less than $32,000. The 50% rate applies if your provisional income is between $32,000 and $44,000. If your provisional income exceeds $44,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.

Stimulus Check's Impact

Any additional taxable income will increase your adjusted gross income, which then increases your provisional income for Social Security tax purposes. If your provisional income goes up enough to move you from the 0% to the 50% bracket, or from the 50% to the 85% bracket, then you're looking at a tax increase. So, the key question is whether your stimulus checks boost your taxable income. 

Stimulus checks are really just advanced payments of a new "recovery rebate" tax credit for the 2020 tax year. As such, they aren't included in taxable income. So, your stimulus check won't increase your AGI, or your provisional income. And if your provisional income doesn't go up, the tax on your Social Security benefits won't either.

What About State Taxes

Unless you live in a state with no income tax, you'll have to file a state income tax return, too. The good news is that your stimulus payments won't raise your state taxes, either. Most states don't tax Social Security benefits. So, there's no reason to worry if you live in one of those states.

You're also safe if you live in one of the handful of states that do tax Social Security payments (either full or partially). That's because the calculation of your state tax liability is going to start with either your federal AGI or federal taxable income. We already established that stimulus payments won't increase your federal AGI. And, if your federal AGI isn't higher because of the stimulus checks you receive, then your federal taxable income won't be higher, either. Since your stimulus payments aren't being carried over as income on your state income tax return, you won't end up paying state tax on that money.

If you didn’t receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments, you may be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit. To see if you’re eligible, you need to complete the Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet section for Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR even if you don’t normally have to file a tax return.

If you did get the full amount, you do not need to complete any information about the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return.

Sources: Kiplinger and IRS