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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Posts
    13

    Default Re: Types of Income Included in Early Retirement Income Limits

    Thank you. I actually did read that publication a while back. The thing is: what constitutes earnings? We have capital gains from a land contract on selling some acreage. We have modest income from our farm and a small business, with quite a lot of depreciation yet to use, so that makes it even more modest. We have always filed jointly at 50% each, as we work together at everything. Now I am able to get Medicare, so just have a supplemental at a couple hundred a month. She pays 1100/mo for insurance. Our gains and interest would put us over the "earnings" cap, but we'd be under it with just the net on farm & business income, especially if her earnings half was then reduced by the thousands in insurance.

    We have no problem paying income tax on SS, at least no more than on any other income, lol. I just always thought the ceilings were on all household income totals of any stripe. Then, the other day, someone said that it was just based on individual income of certain types of earnings. Personally, I think total household income would be a better idea, since early benefits are a bit too generous. But it got us to thinking, so I tried looking into it. Her health is not good; otherwise, we wouldn't be concerned.

    Added info: Additionally, it appears that my SS would not be counted against her limits, if Sam goes by individual vs. household totals.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,045

    Default Re: Types of Income Included in Early Retirement Income Limits

    "Earnings" for Social Security Earnings test are wages and self-employment income. The income that you pay FICA taxes on. W-2's are issued for wages. Self-employment is computed on Schedule C and Schedule SE when income taxes are done. Self-employment is for a business; child care, lawn services, handyman are few examples of small businesses. Self-employment also refers to farmers, truckers, plumbers, lawyers, accountants, store owners. Larger businesses tend to be incorporated or partnerships.

    Capital gains, interest, most rental income is non-wage, non-earned income and do not affect Social Security benefits even though they may be subject to income taxes. Social Security benefits can be subject to income tax. Wages and self-employment can be subject to income tax.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Types of Income Included in Early Retirement Income Limits

    Quote Quoting fair
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    Thank you. I actually did read that publication a while back. The thing is: what constitutes earnings? We have capital gains from a land contract on selling some acreage. We have modest income from our farm and a small business, with quite a lot of depreciation yet to use, so that makes it even more modest. We have always filed jointly at 50% each, as we work together at everything. Now I am able to get Medicare, so just have a supplemental at a couple hundred a month. She pays 1100/mo for insurance. Our gains and interest would put us over the "earnings" cap, but we'd be under it with just the net on farm & business income, especially if her earnings half was then reduced by the thousands in insurance.
    That paragraph ONLY involves taxation of your social security benefits.

    How you determine the tax on your SS benefits is by filling out the Social Security Benefits worksheet which is found on Page 30 of your 1040 instruction booklet. Look at the worksheet now:

    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

    Line 3 of the worksheet is income. You combine the amounts from Form 1040, lines 7, 8a, 9a, 10 through 14, 15b, 16b, 17 through 19, and 21.

    Now look at the Form 1040:

    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf

    When you look at lines 7, 8a, 9a, 10 through 14, 15b, 16b, 17 through 19, and 21, it should be clear that ALL of the income items you listed are factored into the tax on your social security benefits.

    If you haven't done your 2015 taxes yet, take a look at your 2014 tax return. I'm guessing you had a tax pro prepare it and you got a copy along with all your supporting documents and worksheets. Take a look at and you should be able to find a similar worksheet for 2014 where you can compare the total on line 3 of the worksheet with the lines on the Form 1040 and see how the taxable amount of your SS benefit was arrived at.

    Again, we are not talking about any reduction in SS benefits due to income because, at your age, that doesn't apply.

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