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?

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


Publication 915

Publication 915