Mother is retired, receiving Social Security...does she still file federal income tax forms?

Question

My mother had to file last year because she had some income besides Social Security. This year, however, she has only received Social Security. Does she still have to file federal income tax forms? She also gets minimal interest off of a CD and savings account.

Answer 1

If Social Security is her only income then she does not need to file. However you say she gets "minimal" interest from a CD and savings account. Define "minimal" please and I can give you an definitive answer. To be absolutely acurate I'd need to know how much her annual Social Security is as well.

Answer 2

If her interest is only a few thousand dollars or less, and that's her only income other than social security, then she does not have to file a federal return. If her interest is more than that, she might have to depending on her total income.

Answer 3

Your benefits may be taxable, if the total of
*One-half of your benefits, plus
*All your other income, including tax-exempt interest
is more than the base amount for your filing status.
(Social security benefits include monthly survivor and disability benefits. They do not include supplemental security income (SSI) payments, which are not taxable.)

Your base amount is: $25,000 if you are single, head of household, or qualifying widow(er),
$25,000 if you are married filing separately and lived apart from your spouse for all of 2006,
$32,000 if you are married filing jointly, or
$-0- if you are married filing separately and lived with your spouse at any time during 2006.

Answer 4

She should. She still has reportable income, SS, interest, etc. She won't have to pay any taxes, but she should still report her income.

Answer 5

yes, she needs to file

Answer 6

Nope not as far as I know.