Common questions on Social Security Benefits in ProSeries

Get answers to frequently asked questions about social security benefits in ProSeries.

Entering Form SSA-1099 in ProSeries

Information from the SSA-1099 can be entered on the Social Security Benefits Worksheet.

To open the worksheet:

1. Press F6 to open the Forms Menu.
2. Type SOC press enter to open the Social Security Benefit Worksheet.
3. Enter current year information for Taxpayer and/or Spouse in the appropriate column.

How do I enter lump-sum Social Security payments for earlier year(s)?   

If you received a lump-sum social security payment that includes benefits for one or more earlier years after 1983, you may wish to use the Earlier Year Lump-Sum Social Security Worksheet to recalculate the taxable social security benefits for the earlier year as if the lump-sum payment had been received in the earlier year instead of the current tax year.

To access this worksheet, click on the QuickZoom located in the Earlier Year Lump-Sum Benefits Smart Worksheet box, located above line 1 on the Social Security Benefits Worksheet.

The ProSeries Basic program does not have the Earlier Year Lump-Sum Benefits Worksheet. To enter this information the return would have to be completed in the Professional program or the forms downloaded from the IRS website, manually completed, and the return paper filed.

How do I report child dependent Social Security benefits?

Social Security Benefits received for a child dependent may be reported either on the child's tax return or the parent's. The determination is made based on how the benefits were used.Excerpt from IRS Pub. 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits:

"Who is taxed. Benefits are included in the taxable income (to the extent they are taxable) of the person who has the legal right to receive the benefits. For example, if you and your child receive benefits, but the check for your child is made out in your name, you must use only your part of the benefits to see whether any benefits are taxable to you. One-half of the part that belongs to your child must be added to your child's other income to see whether any of those benefits are taxable to your child."

In ProSeries, Social Security benefits are entered on the Social Security Benefits Worksheet. To access the Social Security Benefits Worksheet:

1. Open the return reporting the Social Security benefits.
2. Press F6 to open the Open Forms window.
3. Type "Soc" and press Enter.
4. Enter the Social Security benefits on the appropriate line(s).