Are Social Security benefits taxable in 2025?

Social Security benefits may be partially taxable depending on your total income. Up to 85% of your benefits can be subject to federal income tax.

How to determine if your benefits are taxable: Calculate your "combined income" (also called provisional income): AGI + nontaxable interest + half of your Social Security benefits.

Single filers:

• Combined income under $25,000: Benefits are not taxable
• Combined income $25,000-$34,000: Up to 50% of benefits are taxable
• Combined income over $34,000: Up to 85% of benefits are taxable

Married filing jointly:

• Combined income under $32,000: Benefits are not taxable
• Combined income $32,000-$44,000: Up to 50% of benefits are taxable
• Combined income over $44,000: Up to 85% of benefits are taxable

Important note: These thresholds have never been adjusted for inflation since they were established in 1983 and 1993. As a result, more retirees are taxed on their benefits each year.

Withholding options: You can request voluntary withholding from your Social Security payments by filing Form W-4V with the SSA. You can choose 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%. Alternatively, make quarterly estimated tax payments.

State taxes: 9 states tax Social Security income to varying degrees: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Most offer exemptions for lower-income retirees. The remaining 41 states and DC do not tax Social Security.

Planning tip: Strategic Roth conversions before claiming Social Security can reduce future combined income and minimize the tax on benefits. Similarly, withdrawing from Roth accounts in retirement does not count toward combined income.