Social security tax

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
May 29, 2025
2 replies
0 views

How does Social Security tax withheld not get subjected to federal income tax if it is not reported anywhere on income tax return.

Not A Product Question

VolvoGirl

Not understanding. You enter the SSA-1099 for Social Security. The federal withholding in box 6 shows up on 1040 line 25b with other 1099 withholding. Your Social Security might not be taxable.

Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security, reaches:

Married Filing Jointly: $32,000

Single or head of household: $25,000

Married Filing Separately: 0

rjs

Social Security tax withheld from your pay, and shown in box 4 of your W-2, IS subject to federal income tax. You pay income tax on your gross pay (W-2 box 1), without subtracting Social Security tax (box 4) or Medicare tax (box 6). That's the way the tax rules work.

Opus 17

@rjs wrote:

Social Security tax withheld from your pay, and shown in box 4 of your W-2, IS subject to federal income tax. You pay income tax on your gross pay (W-2 box 1), without subtracting Social Security tax (box 4) or Medicare tax (box 6). That's the way the tax rules work.

Well, your social security tax is based on your box 3 income. Box 1 and box 3 income may be different in some cases, such as when you contribute to a 401k.

However, there are no tax deductions for paying social security tax, it is not a deductible tax like state income tax, sales tax, or real property tax.