Social Security Tax Calculator
See how much of your Social Security benefit is subject to federal income tax, based on your other income.
Want to understand the concept, not just the number? Read The Social Security and Early Withdrawals Guide and more below.
How it's calculated
Many retirees are surprised that Social Security can be taxed at all. Whether it is, and how much, depends on your other income through a measure the IRS calls provisional income, which is your other income plus half of your benefit. The more you have coming in from pensions, retirement account withdrawals, and the like, the more of your benefit becomes taxable, up to a cap of 85 percent.
Work the default. A 30,000 dollar benefit with 40,000 dollars of other income gives provisional income of 40,000 plus 15,000, or 55,000 dollars. For a single filer that is above the second threshold of 34,000, so the 85 percent tier applies. The formula makes 22,350 dollars of the benefit taxable, about 74.5 percent of it. That taxable amount is then added to your income and taxed at your regular rate, so the actual tax depends on your bracket.
The thresholds, 25,000 and 34,000 for single filers and 32,000 and 44,000 for joint, have not changed since the 1980s and 1990s and are not indexed for inflation. That means each year more retirees cross them, a slow creep that catches people off guard. Because the taxable share depends on your other income, the timing of retirement account withdrawals and Roth conversions can change how much of your benefit is taxed. Enter your numbers to see where you land.
Assumptions
- Provisional income is your other income plus half your benefit. Below 25,000 single or 32,000 joint, none is taxed. Above 34,000 or 44,000, up to 85 percent is.
- These thresholds are set by statute and are not adjusted for inflation, so more retirees cross them over time. At most 85 percent of the benefit is ever taxable.
Last updated: 2026-08-08
These assumptions follow our general methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Is Social Security taxable?
It can be. Depending on your other income, up to 85 percent of your benefit may be subject to federal income tax. Some people owe nothing on it, while higher-income retirees owe tax on the maximum 85 percent. This calculator shows your taxable portion.
What is provisional income?
It is the figure the IRS uses to decide how much of your benefit is taxed, equal to your other income plus half of your Social Security benefit, including tax-exempt interest. It is compared against fixed thresholds to find the taxable share.
How can I reduce the tax on my benefits?
By managing your other income. Roth withdrawals do not count toward provisional income, so drawing from a Roth instead of a traditional account, or doing Roth conversions before claiming, can lower how much of your benefit is taxed. The timing of withdrawals matters.
Do all states tax Social Security?
No. Most states do not tax Social Security benefits at all, and the few that do often have exemptions. This calculator covers federal tax only. Check your state rules separately, or use the State Income Tax calculator for the rest of your income.