A question about social security?

Question

My wife plans to retire at 62. I checked with my tax man about how much money she is allowed to make. He said on the joint return. We are allowed to make $32,000. My question is if I make about $24,000. She makes about $10,000. on social security. How much is she allowed to make working before she has to pay the govt. taxes on her social security?

Answer 1

There is incorrect info above. First, your wife can make up to $12,000 before she will start to lose her social security. Above that point, she will lose $1 of benefits for each $2 of income she earns. This applies up to age 65.

To figure when the benefits become taxable, you add 1/2 of the benefit to your other income. Thus, your total income for this test is your $24,000 plus 1/2 of her social security ($5,000) plus her earnings. She could make about $3,000 before taxation of her benefit would start.

Answer 2

The $32,000 limit does not include the social security payment. Some of the social security is taxed if your other income exceeds certain limits. If you already have a tax man, why are you asking us instead of him?

Answer 3

they wont tax the social security, but they will take away $1.00 of social security for every $3.00 she makes over the limit.