Social Security Recipients Need a Benefit Statement for Tax Season: Here’s Where to Find It

Tax season is almost upon us, and it might be a good idea to get prepared ahead of time. If you receive Social Security benefits, you might not have to file taxes for 2025, but it depends on your situation. If you’re not sure if you’ll need to file, we’ve got you covered. 

Social Security beneficiaries need their benefit statement from the IRS to file a return. This document also helps you figure out if your benefits are taxable this year. We’ll show you when to expect to receive your statement in the mail and other ways to access it if you didn’t get it. 

Read more: Try These Year-End Tax Hacks for Boosting Your Tax Refund in 2025

Below, we’ll fill you in on what this document is and why you need to give it a look, so scroll on for more.

For more, check out these tips to make sure you don’t get audited this tax season. 

Social Security benefit statement: What is it? 

The Social Security benefit statement, also known as form SSA-1099, shows you the benefit amount you earned last year. (Noncitizens living outside the US receive SSA-1042S instead.) The statement provides beneficiaries with information they can use when they complete their federal tax return. 

The Social Security Administration has been sending out this form annually since 1999, according to the SSA’s website. Supplemental Security Income recipients don’t receive this statement. 

Why do you need a benefit statement? 

Generally, Social Security recipients don’t have to file a tax return if their primary source of income is their monthly benefits. For those who have other sources of income as well as Social Security benefits, it can be harder to tell whether they’re required to submit a tax return or what percentage of their income is taxable. That’s where the Social Security benefit statement comes in handy. 

The statement helps you find out whether your benefits are subject to tax. It shows you how much you earned in benefits from the previous year. You’ll use this form when you or a tax preparer prepares your taxes. 

When should I have received my statement?

The SSA typically disburses these statements by mail or through your My Social Security online account throughout January, before the start of tax season. 

Don’t have a statement? Here’s what to do

US residents can get a replacement form SSA-1099 by visiting their My Social Security online account and requesting a replacement. After you’ve logged in to your account, find the link that says Replace Your Tax Form SSA-1099/SSA-1042. If you live outside the US, the SSA recommends contacting your Federal Benefits Unit.

Here’s how to resolve your Social Security problems and get in touch with an SSA representative.