Navigating the world of taxes can be tricky, can’t it? There are so many different abbreviations and pieces of paperwork to work through; it can be hard finding out what you qualify for and how it works.
Especially if you have never had to claim benefits before, it feels as though you have entered a strange world where nothing makes sense, and no one really knows what’s going on. It can make an already stressful time even more stressful and leave you wanting to curl up into a ball and cry, especially when taxes and refunds are involved.
Well, no more! We are here to help you navigate through these murky waters and leave victorious! Today we are tackling tax refunds and SSI payments to determine if you can get a tax refund on SSI and its implications! Keep reading to find out more.
For those that are unsure or need a recap, let’s look at what SSI is. SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a benefit paid to adults and children with low income and resources and are blind or disabled.
The goal is to help these people with little or no income, providing cash to meet basic needs. The money is often used for food, shelter, and clothing. You can check if you are eligible for this online or speak to a professional who will have the best advice.
In addition, there are plenty of SSI advocates across the country that can help you understand the legal jargon and get you the money you need!
The application process isn’t too difficult, and usually, you will get a response quickly. However, due to the pandemic, wait times might be longer as we have seen many people fall on harder times.
Now that we have covered what SSI is, let’s find out if you can get a tax refund on it!
As SSI isn’t counted as a taxable income, you will not pay tax on this, meaning you would not qualify for a tax refund on your SSI payments. You won’t need to list this income on a tax return, along with any other welfare benefits that you claim.
Unlike social security income, SSI is not counted as an income at all. It is designed to help those who need it and would not be taxed. If you are not paying tax on something, you cannot claim a tax refund on SSI payments.
However, if you previously earned income or paid too much tax in the last financial year, you might be entitled to a tax refund.
You can claim a tax refund on previous earnings and tax paid while on SSI. However, there are some factors that you need to consider when receiving your tax refund and how they could impact your SSI.
Let’s take a look at that now.
When your tax refund comes through, you will need to check the amount to ensure that you can still keep your benefit. A tax refund would be counted as a resource. To qualify for SSI, you cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources or $3,000 for couples.
There are exemptions to this, of course, such as your home and car (you can find the full list on the government’s website), but should you exceed this amount, you could lose your benefits. Your resources are calculated on the first day of each month, and if you exceed the limit, you risk losing your benefits.
However, with tax refunds, they are exempt for a certain period. You will have 12 months to spend the tax refund before it becomes a countable income and poses a risk to your benefits. After this point, the money can also be eligible for tax, so it’s best to spend it when you can.
Providing that the money is spent or does not exceed the income and resource limit, a tax refund should not impact your SSI.
Final Word
And just like that, we have reached the end of our SSI journey together today! As you can see, you can get a tax refund while claiming SSI. The refund will not relate to your SSI income as it is not taxable. But if you have other income or a tax refund from the previous year, you are free to take it!
Remember that if the amount is higher than the income limit, it can be taxable and could cause you to lose your benefits. Thankfully you do get 12 months to spend the income before it’s an issue.
If you have any questions or are unsure, remember to speak to a professional. They will have the most up-to-date information and tailor it to your situation with ease.
