Internal Revenue Service United States Department of the Treasury
Level Basic Advanced Military International

Social Security Workout

Lump-Sum Benefit Payments

Skills Warm Up: Lump Sum Benefits

Joan presents you with her Form SSA-1099 that includes a lump-sum benefit payment for both last year and the current year. She had other taxable income in both years.

What lump-sum election method may be used to determine the taxable portion of Social Security benefits if it lowers her taxes benefits?

Report the whole payment in the year it was received
Complete the Social Security Benefits Worksheet found in Form 1040 Instructions including the lump-sum payment on line 1
Figure whether any part of the lump-sum payment is taxable based on earlier year's income
The lump-sum election method is not in scope; you should refer her to a professional tax preparer


Publication 915

Publication 915