If You Receive SSI, Do You Need to File a Tax Return in 2025? What You Should Know

We’re soon headed into the 2025 Tax Season, and if you receive Supplemental Security Income, you might want to consider filing your taxes when the IRS starts receiving returns. In some situations, you could be eligible for certain tax credits or additional money that you’ll only receive if you file, so it would be a good idea to look at your options. 

Below, we’ll break down whether you should file this year and the potential benefits for doing so. And if you didn’t know, you’re due for a boost in your monthly SSI check next year. 

Are Supplemental Security Income payments taxable?

No, your Supplemental Security Income payments aren’t taxable, as they aren’t considered earned income. This also means that if you are a beneficiary, you aren’t required to file taxes. SSI benefits are primarily for eligible individuals with limited income and certain disabilities, though others can also qualify depending on the situation. 

Read more: How to apply for Supplemental Security Income

Should I file my taxes even if I’m not required to?

Though it’s not required to file your taxes if you receive Supplemental Security Income benefits, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. The biggest and most obvious reason is that you could potentially receive a tax refund by filing — so if you opt not to file a tax return, you’re potentially leaving money on the table. 

In addition to a standard tax refund, you may also be eligible for additional benefits, like a child tax credit or earned income tax credit. 

What type of tax credits can SSI recipients get?

As mentioned above, if you receive Supplemental Security Income, you can receive tax credits if you meet certain criteria. 

If you have children aged 17 or younger, depending on your income, you could receive a child tax credit (CTC) up to $2,000 per child. 

You could also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is designated for low- to moderate-income workers and families. Qualifying individuals can use the credit to reduce taxes you owe or potentially increase your refund. 

If you qualify for and claim the CTC or EITC, your tax refund may be delayed. The IRS is required by law to issue tax refunds for individuals who claim one of these tax credits no sooner than mid-February. This applies to your entire tax refund, not just the tax credit. 

If you qualified for the EITC in previous years but did not claim it, you can still claim it for up to the past three years. 

How can I find out how much SSI money I received in 2024?

If you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits, you should receive a notice in the mail by January 2025 that will detail all monies that were paid to you for the previous year. This notice will also be made available within your My Social Security account, which we recommend you sign up for if you don’t have one already. 

If you only receive Supplemental Security Income, you won’t get a letter with how much you received in government benefits since these funds aren’t taxable. However, you can reach out directly to the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office. 

For more, don’t miss the Social Security and SSDI cheat sheet and how to estimate your Social Security benefits with this free tool.