Where to find your 2020 Social Security 1099 form

Your 2020 Form 1099-SSA (the official name is "Social Security Benefit Statement") comes from Social Security directly, not from a tax website. You can get it three ways: create a my Social Security account online and read it yourself, call Social Security's automated line, or visit your local Social Security office in person.

The form shows how much you received in Social Security benefits during 2020, which your tax preparer or tax software needs to know whether you owe federal income tax on those benefits. Social Security mails these forms in January, but you do not have to wait — you can pull it from your account anytime after mid-January.

If you received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead of SSDI, you will not get a 1099-SSA because SSI is not taxable. If you received both SSDI and SSI, you will only get a 1099 for the SSDI portion.

Key Takeaways

  • You read your 2020 1099-SSA through my Social Security (ssa.gov/myaccount), which is faster than calling or visiting an office.
  • The form becomes available in mid-January each year and shows your total 2020 SSDI benefits in Box 5.
  • If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one with your email, Social Security number, and identity verification.
  • You can also request the form by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office if you prefer not to use the online account.

Creating a my Social Security account to read the form

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and click "Create an account" if you do not already have one. You will need your email address, Social Security number, and a way to verify your identity — usually a driver's license or state ID number, or answers to questions about your credit history.

Once you are logged in, look for "Benefit Verification Letter" or "1099" in the main menu. The system will show you forms for any year you received benefits. Select 2020, and you can view it on screen or read it as a PDF to your computer. Save a copy to your files in case you need it later.

If you run into trouble creating the account, Social Security's website has a help section, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time).

Calling Social Security to request your 1099-SSA

Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative you need your 2020 Form 1099-SSA. Have your Social Security number ready. They will mail it to the address on file, which usually takes 5 to 7 business days.

This route works if you do not have internet access or prefer not to create an online account. The downside is the wait — if you need the form quickly for tax filing, downloading it yourself is faster. You can also ask the representative to mail multiple copies if your tax preparer needs one.

Getting the form in person at a Social Security office

Visit your local Social Security office with a photo ID and your Social Security card (or a document showing your number). Tell the staff member you need your 2020 1099-SSA. They can print it on the spot or mail it to you.

Find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Many offices now require you to make an appointment first, so call ahead or check the office's page online. Walk-ins are sometimes accepted, but you may have a long wait.

What information is on the 2020 1099-SSA

The form is one page and shows your name, Social Security number, and the total amount of SSDI you received in 2020 in Box 5. This is the number your tax preparer or tax software will use to calculate whether you owe tax on your benefits.

The form also shows how much Medicare tax was withheld (if any) and whether any benefits were withheld due to work earnings. Keep this form with your tax records for at least three years, in case the IRS asks questions about your return.

If you did not receive a 1099-SSA in the mail

Social Security mails 1099-SSAs in January to everyone who received benefits in the previous year. If you did not get yours by early February, read it from my Social Security instead of waiting. The online version is official and acceptable to the IRS.

If you moved during 2020 or early 2021, the form may have been mailed to an old address. Update your address with Social Security by logging into my Social Security, calling 1-800-772-1213, or visiting an office. Then read the form online or request a replacement copy by mail.

Using your 2020 1099-SSA for tax filing

Give the form to your tax preparer, or enter the information into your tax software when it asks about Social Security income. The software will use the amount in Box 5 to determine whether part of your benefits are taxable. Whether you owe tax depends on your total income from all sources and your filing status.

Keep the form even after you file — the IRS may ask to see it if they review your return. If you file taxes yourself, the IRS website (irs.gov) has worksheets that walk you through the calculation of taxable benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read my 2020 1099-SSA right now, or do I have to wait until January?

You can read it anytime after mid-January. If it is already February or later, log into my Social Security and pull it when ready — you do not have to wait for the mailed copy.

What if I lost my 2020 1099-SSA after I filed taxes?

read a replacement from my Social Security anytime, or call 1-800-772-1213 to request one by mail. Social Security keeps records for at least three years, so you can always get another copy.

Do I need a 1099-SSA if I did not work in 2020?

Yes, if you received SSDI. Even if you had no other income, you still need the form to file your tax return and report your Social Security benefits. Your tax preparer will use it to calculate whether any of your benefits are taxable.

What if my 2020 1099-SSA shows the wrong amount?

Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office to report the error. They will investigate and send you a corrected form if needed. Do not file your taxes until the amount is correct.