Lines 20A 20B PDF Details

Navigating the complexities of taxable income can often feel daunting, especially when it involves understanding the implications of social security benefits on one's taxes. The Social Security Benefits Worksheet—specifically Lines 5a and 5b on the 2018 Form 1040—serves as a crucial tool for taxpayers in this regard. This worksheet is designed to help individuals determine the portion of their social security benefits that may be subject to federal income tax. Before delving into the worksheet, it's important for taxpayers to consider any write-in adjustments, particularly those that can be noted on Schedule 1, line 36. For certain filers, such as those married but filing separately who lived apart from their spouse throughout the tax year, specific instructions, including the entry of a unique code next to the worksheet's line 5a, must be followed to avoid receiving a math error notice from the IRS. The process outlined in the worksheet meticulously guides taxpayers through various calculations—starting with the total amount from box 5 of all Forms SSA-1099 and RRB-1099, multiplying by percentages, and combining amounts from several lines of Form 1040 and Schedule 1—to ultimately determine the taxable part of social security benefits. Interestingly, the form accommodates different filing statuses by providing tailored instructions that take into account the living arrangements of the filer, thereby affecting the calculation of taxable benefits. Additionally, it includes a provision for applying a lump-sum election for lump-sum benefit payments received for previous years, potentially offering a method to reduce taxable income. This systematic approach highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of the tax code and underscores the necessity of precise calculations in ensuring the accuracy of one's tax return. This article aims to provide a detailed exploration of the Lines 20A and 20B form, empowering taxpayers with the knowledge to navigate their social security benefits taxation confidently.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameLines 20A 20B
Form Length1 pages
Fillable?No
Fillable fields0
Avg. time to fill out15 sec
Other namessocial security worksheet 2020, social security benefits worksheet 2020, social security worksheet, social security benefits worksheet 2021

Form Preview Example

Social Security Benefits Worksheet—Lines 5a and 5b

2018 Form 1040—Lines 5a and 5b

Keep for Your Records

Before you begin: Figure any write-in adjustments to be entered on the dotted line next to Schedule 1, line 36 (see the instructions for Schedule 1, line 36).

If you are married filing separately and you lived apart from your spouse for all of 2018, enter “D” to the right of the word “benefits” on line 5a. If you don’t, you may get a math error notice from the IRS. Be sure you have read the Exception in the line 5a and 5b instructions to see if you can use this worksheet instead of a publication to find out if any of your benefits are taxable.

1.Enter the total amount from box 5 of all your Forms SSA-1099 and

2.

Forms RRB-1099. Also, enter this amount on Form 1040, line 5a . . . . . 1.

 

Multiply line 1 by 50% (0.50)

3.

Combine the amounts from Form 1040, lines 1, 2b, 3b, 4b, and Schedule 1, line 22

4.

Enter the amount, if any, from Form 1040, line 2a

5.

Combine lines 2, 3, and 4

6.

Enter the total of the amounts from Schedule 1, lines 23 through 32, plus any write-in

 

adjustments you entered on the dotted line next to Schedule 1, line 36 other than any amounts

7.

identified as “DPAD”

Is the amount on line 6 less than the amount on line 5?

 

 

 

No.

None of your social security benefits are taxable. Enter -0- on Form 1040,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOP

line 5b.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

 

 

Yes. Subtract line 6 from line 5

 

 

If you are:

 

 

 

 

 

Married filing jointly, enter $32,000

 

 

 

Single, head of household, qualifying widow(er), or married filing

 

 

 

separately and you lived apart from your spouse for all of 2018,

 

 

 

enter $25,000

 

 

 

Married filing separately and you lived with your spouse at any time

 

 

 

in 2018, skip lines 8 through 15; multiply line 7 by 85% (0.85) and

9.

 

 

enter the result on line 16. Then, go to line 17

Is the amount on line 8 less than the amount on line 7?

 

 

 

No.

None of your social security benefits are taxable. Enter -0- on Form 1040,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOP

line 5b. If you are married filing separately and you lived apart from your

 

 

 

 

spouse for all of 2018, be sure you entered “D” to the right of the word “benefits” on line 5a.

Yes. Subtract line 8 from line 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.Enter: $12,000 if married filing jointly; $9,000 if single, head of household, qualifying

 

widow(er), or married filing separately and you lived apart from your spouse for all

10.

11.

of 2018

Subtract line 10 from line 9. If zero or less, enter -0-

11.

12.

Enter the smaller of line 9 or line 10

12.

13.

Enter one-half of line 12

13.

14.

Enter the smaller of line 2 or line 13

14.

15.

Multiply line 11 by 85% (0.85). If line 11 is zero, enter -0-

15.

16.

Add lines 14 and 15

16.

17.

Multiply line 1 by 85% (0.85)

17.

18.Taxable social security benefits. Enter the smaller of line 16 or line 17. Also enter this amount

on Form 1040, line 5b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.

TIP

If any of your benefits are taxable for 2018 and they include a lump-sum benefit payment that was for an earlier

 

year, you may be able to reduce the taxable amount. See Lump-Sum Election in Pub. 915 for details.

 

 

-33-

Need more information or forms? Visit IRS.gov.

How to Edit Lines 20A 20B Online for Free

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For every single part, complete the data required by the software.

social security benefits worksheet gaps to complete

Type in the appropriate data in the section Enter if married filing jointly, on Form line b, If any of your benefits are, and Need more information or forms.

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