02/11/2026
**๐ฐ SOCIAL SECURITY & TAXES: THE TRUTH FOR 2026**
Every year I get asked: *"Do I have to pay taxes on my Social Security?"*
The answer isn't yes or noโit's **IT DEPENDS**. But here is the simple breakdown ๐
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โ **ARE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TAXABLE?**
โ
YESโif your "combined income" is over certain limits.
โ NOโif your combined income is below those limits.
โ ๏ธ Your age DOES NOT matter. Even at 80, benefits can be taxed if your income is too high .
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๐งฎ **WHAT IS "COMBINED INCOME"?**
This is the magic number the IRS uses:
**Your AGI** (wages, pensions, IRA withdrawals, dividends, interest)
โ **Nontaxable interest** (yes, muni bonds count!)
โ **50% of your Social Security benefits**
= YOUR COMBINED INCOME
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๐ **2026 TAXABILITY THRESHOLDS (unchanged since 1983!)**
๐ต ** SINGLE FILER **
โข Under $25,000 = $0 taxable
โข $25,000 โ $34,000 = Up to 50% taxable
โข Over $34,000 = Up to 85% taxable
๐ข ** MARRIED FILING JOINTLY **
โข Under $32,000 = $0 taxable
โข $32,000 โ $44,000 = Up to 50% taxable
โข Over $44,000 = Up to 85% taxable
โ ๏ธ **These numbers have NEVER been adjusted for inflation.** That's why more retirees are getting taxed every year .
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๐ก **HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS (2025โ2028)**
The "Senior Bonus Deduction" ($6,000 single / $12,000 joint) is helping MOST seniors pay $0 tax on their benefitsโeven if some of it is *technically* taxable .
โ
You can have a portion of your benefits be "taxable" but still owe $0 after your standard deduction + senior deduction .
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๐ ๏ธ **3 WAYS TO REDUCE OR AVOID SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES**
1๏ธโฃ **Use Roth IRA withdrawals** โ They don't count in your combined income .
2๏ธโฃ **Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)** โ After 70ยฝ, give directly from your IRA. Lowers your AGI .
3๏ธโฃ **Watch your dividends & muni bonds** โ Even "tax-free" interest counts against you here .
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๐บ๏ธ **STATE TAXES: 9 STATES STILL TAX BENEFITS IN 2026**
CO, CT, MN, MT, NM, RI, UT, VT, WV
(Most have income exemptionsโWV is fully exempt starting 2026!)
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๐ **BOTTOM LINE:**
โ
Low income = $0 tax.
โ ๏ธ Middle income = Possibly 50% taxable.
๐ฐ Higher income = Up to 85% taxable.
**You don't have to guess.** Bring your SSA-1099 and we'll run the numbers. Most retirees are pleasantly surprised by how little they actually owe .
๐ Comment below or send me a message if you want to know YOUR number!