taxation of benefits
A Perspective on Taxation of Social Security
“How can I avoid having my Social Security benefits taxed?” That is a question we are regularly asked here at the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service. And the unfortunate answer for many who ask is that “you cannot!” As the old…
OBBBA Consequences Cited in New Trust Fund Insolvency Warning
The 2026 tax filing season kicked off officially earlier this week, and many taxpayers are eagerly awaiting an assessment of the impact on their personal financial situations. Larger refunds, or at least lower tax liabilities, are likely in store for…
Congressional Push for Two Key Social Security Changes Underway
By now, and especially as tax season gets underway, most folks know that the “no tax on Social Security” slogan is a bit of a misnomer. The tax will still be computed, but subsequently offset (for many filers) by a…
State-Level Taxation of Social Security Benefits–An Update
Taxation of Social Security benefits is a continually evolving issue, with the recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act adding some confusion, at least regarding the federal income tax on Social Security benefits. You probably know by now that a workaround…
A Quick Refresher on the Bonus Deductioon for Seniors
The $6,000 “bonus” income tax deduction for seniors age 65 and older for tax years 2025-2028 will surface for the first time as this year’s IRS filing season gets underway. While the increased deduction is indeed beneficial for qualified taxpayers,…
Social Security and Income Taxes: Looking Beyond the $6,000 Bonus Deduction
At this point, it’s pretty well understood that the 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” provides a “bonus” income tax deduction intended to offset (for most seniors) the impact of federal income tax levied on Social Security benefits. It’s also…
Perspectives on the Taxation of Social Security Benefits
President Trump has led the most recent charge to rescue Social Security beneficiaries from the pain of income tax assessments, but that’s certainly not the first time the thought has emerged. Through the years, many have argued that including a…
“No tax on Social Security:” Here’s the real story
Be careful of campaign promises and political spin – they don’t all happen, and sometimes they may actually happen, but take an unusual and different approach. Such is the case with the bold assertion by the Administration that “income tax…
Further clarification on the “Senior Bonus Deduction”
The $6,000 per filer bonus income deduction enacted via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has generated quite a bit of discussion since its July 4 arrival, much of it dealing with its mechanics at tax filing time. As explained…
A Thought on Increasing Social Security’s Revenue Picture
Addressing Social Security’s long-term financial problems typically comes down to two fundamental moves: increasing the incoming revenue or decreasing the outgoing benefits. Either move presents challenges for policymakers, and that’s why there’s a constant search for new and novel approaches.…