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