What form you receive and when

Social Security sends you a Form SSA-1099 if you received SSDI benefits during the year. This form shows how much you were paid in benefits and is the document you use when you file taxes. You do not request it — Social Security mails it to you automatically in January of the following year, to the address they have on file.

If you moved during the year, update your address with Social Security before January arrives. You can do this online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. If your mail is delayed or lost, you can create a my Social Security account and view your 1099 online starting in mid-January.

The form shows your gross benefit amount — the full payment before any withholding. If Social Security withheld federal income tax from your benefits (which happens only if you requested it), that amount appears on the form as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security mails Form SSA-1099 to you in January without you having to request it, showing your total SSDI benefits for the previous year.
  • You can view your 1099 online through your my Social Security account if you do not receive it by mail or need it before January arrives.
  • The form shows your gross benefits and any federal tax you asked Social Security to withhold, which you report on your tax return.
  • If your address changed during the year, update it with Social Security before January so your form reaches you.

Accessing your 1099 online

If you have a my Social Security account, you can view and read your Form SSA-1099 starting in mid-January without waiting for the paper copy to arrive. Log in to your account at ssa.gov, go to the "Benefit Verification" section, and look for the tax form option. You can print it or save it as a PDF to use when filing your taxes.

Creating a my Social Security account takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or state ID). Once your account is set up, you can check it anytime to see your 1099, your benefit payment history, and your earnings record.

If you did not receive your form by late January

If your 1099 does not arrive by late January, first check your my Social Security account to see if it is available there. If it is, you can read and print it when ready. If it is not showing online either, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you need a replacement copy. Have your Social Security number ready.

Social Security can remail your form or provide a verbal statement of your benefits over the phone, which you can write down and use temporarily while waiting for the replacement. If you are filing taxes before your 1099 arrives, you can file using the benefit amount you know you received, then amend your return once the form comes.

What information appears on the form

Your Form SSA-1099 shows your name, Social Security number, and the total amount of SSDI benefits you received in the tax year. It also shows any federal income tax that was withheld from your benefits — this appears in Box 4 of the form. The form is divided into boxes, each containing a different piece of information about your benefits.

Box 1 shows your total benefits before any withholding. Box 4 shows federal tax withheld, if any. You report the amount from Box 1 on your tax return, and the amount from Box 4 goes in the federal tax paid section. If you did not request tax withholding, Box 4 will be blank or zero.

Reporting your 1099 on your tax return

When you file your federal income tax return, you report the amount from Box 1 of your Form SSA-1099 on the appropriate line of your return. The exact line depends on which form you use — Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR for most people. Your tax software or tax preparer will ask you for this number and place it in the right location.

If you had federal tax withheld (Box 4 is not blank), that amount counts toward your total tax paid for the year. This can reduce the amount you owe or increase your refund. Keep your 1099 with your tax records for at least three years in case the IRS has questions about your return.

Multiple 1099s if you received other income

If you received SSDI and also had other income during the year — such as wages, self-employment income, or interest — you will receive separate tax forms for each type of income. You report all of them on the same tax return. Your Form SSA-1099 covers only your SSDI benefits; other income sources send their own forms.

When filing, you add up all your income from all sources to determine whether you owe taxes and how much. Some people with SSDI and little other income owe no federal tax, while others do. A tax preparer or tax software can help you figure out your total tax situation once you have all your forms together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my 1099 before January?

You can view it online through your my Social Security account starting in mid-January, but the paper form is not mailed until January. If you need the information before then, create an account and check online, or call Social Security to ask about your benefit total for the year.

What if I lost my 1099 after I received it?

You can read a replacement from your my Social Security account anytime, or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask Social Security to mail you another copy. You can also file your taxes using the information from your online account — you do not need the physical paper form.

Do I have to file taxes if I only received SSDI?

Whether you must file depends on your total income, age, and filing status. Some people with only SSDI income do not have to file. The IRS website has a tool to help you determine whether filing is required, or you can ask a tax preparer.

What if Social Security withheld taxes from my benefits?

The amount withheld appears in Box 4 of your 1099. Report it in the federal tax paid section of your return. This reduces what you owe or increases your refund, just like withholding from a paycheck would.