This information is intended only for international students and scholars with income sources and level typical of students and scholars at Yale University. Although the information contained in this site has been reviewed carefully and should be adequate to assist most international students and scholars, it is not a substitute for advice obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a qualified tax accountant. If your visa status has changed in the past year, or you believe you have a complicated tax issue, please consult the IRS or a qualified taxaccountant.
In addition, while the tax preparation software Sprintax is being provided to help you with your tax filing obligations, you are individually responsible for verifying that the correct information has been entered into the tax preparation software and included on all forms and/or other documents printed or derived from the tax preparation software, and ultimately responsible for any errors oromissions.
FAQs
If your employer has withheld Social Security or Medicare taxes in error, follow these steps: Request a refund from your employer. You must first request a refund of these taxes from your employer. If your employer is able to refund these taxes, no further action is necessary.
Can you get a refund if your only income is Social Security? ›
You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.
Do you get to deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes? ›
Social security and Medicare hospital insurance taxes are not deductible when determining an employee's taxable income. However, a deduction is allowed for an amount equal to one-half of the combined self-employment social security and Medicare hospital insurance taxes that are imposed.
How do I get my FICA tax refund? ›
If you paid FICA taxes but believe you should have been exempt from these payments, you may be able to get a refund.
- First, request a refund from your employer in writing.
- If your employer cannot refund you, then you can apply for a refund directly with the U.S. government's Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If there is a premium overpayment, such as when a person changes to a lower premium plan and the premium change doesn't immediately go into effect, Social Security or RRB will automatically refund the premium overpayment.
Are people on Medicare getting a refund? ›
Yes, if you've paid more than the standard Medicare Part B premium, an IRMAA refund can be applied for.
How do you get the $16728 Social Security bonus? ›
There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.
At what age is Social Security no longer taxed? ›
Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.
How much can a senior citizen make without paying taxes? ›
Basically, if you're 65 or older, you have to file a return for tax year 2023 (which is due in 2024) if your gross income is $15,700 or higher. If you're married filing jointly and both 65 or older, that amount is $30,700. If you're married filing jointly and only one of you is 65 or older, that amount is $29,200.
Does Social Security count as federal tax? ›
Social Security income is generally taxable at the federal level, though whether or not you have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits depends on your income level.
You will pay federal income taxes on your benefits if your combined income (50% of your benefit amount plus any other earned income) exceeds $25,000/year filing individually or $32,000/year filing jointly.
Can I still get a refund if no federal taxes were withheld? ›
It's possible. If you do not have any federal tax withheld from your paycheck, your tax credits and deductions could still be greater than any taxes you owe. This would result in you being eligible for a refund. You must file a tax return to claim your refund.
Is FICA the same thing as Social Security? ›
Is FICA tax the same as Social Security? No, FICA and Social Security taxes are not the same, but they're related. Social Security taxes are the 6.2% taken out of your paycheck each month (up to $168,600, the 2024 taxable maximum) while FICA refers to the combination of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
What is the maximum taxable income for Medicare? ›
There is no limit on the amount of earnings subject to Medicare (hospital insurance) tax. The Medicare tax rate applies to all taxable wages and remains at 1.45 percent with the exception of an “additional Medicare tax” assessed against all taxable wages paid in excess of the applicable threshold (see Note).
What is the current Social Security tax rate? ›
NOTE: The 7.65% tax rate is the combined rate for Social Security and Medicare. The Social Security portion (OASDI) is 6.20% on earnings up to the applicable taxable maximum amount (see below). The Medicare portion (HI) is 1.45% on all earnings.
What happens if I only have Social Security income? ›
Generally, if Social Security benefits were your only income, your benefits are not taxable and you probably do not need to file a federal income tax return.
What tax form do I use if my only income is Social Security? ›
The net amount of social security benefits that you receive from the Social Security Administration is reported in Box 5 of Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, and you report that amount on line 6a of Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors.
How much of my Social Security is taxable income? ›
Single filers with a combined income of $25,000 to $34,000 must pay income taxes on up to 50% of their Social Security benefits. If your combined income is more than $34,000, you will pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits.
