If the only income you received during 1996 was your social security or equivalent tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, your benefits are unlikely to be taxed and you probably will not have to file a return.

If you also received other income, your benefits will generally not be taxed unless your income is over a certain base amount. Generally compute your income by adding all your taxable income plus one-half of your social security or equivalent tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, any tax exempt interest income received and exclusion from income. Then compare it to your base amount of:

$25,000 if you are single, head of household, or qualifying widow or widower with a dependent child;

$25,000 if you are married filing separately and did not live with your spouse at any time during the year;

$32,000 if you are married and file a joint return; Zero if you are married filing separately and lived with your spouse at any time during the year.

If your income is more than your base amount, part of your benefits will be taxable. The taxable amount of your benefits is figured on a worksheet in the Form 1040 or 1040A instruction book.

The taxable benefits, if any, must be included in the gross income of the person who has the legal right to receive them. For example, if you and your child received benefits, but the check for your child was made out in your name, you must use only your own portion of the benefits in figuring if any part is taxable to you.

The portion of the benefits that belong to your child must be added to your child's other income to see if any of those benefits are taxable.

If you are married and file a joint return, you and your spouse must combine your incomes and your social security and equivalent tier 1 railroad retirement benefits when figuring the taxable portion of your benefits.

If part of your benefits is taxable, enter both the total amount and the taxable amount of the benefits received on Form 1040 or 1040A. You cannot use Form 1040EZ.

You should receive your 1996 Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 by January 31, 1997. The form will show benefits paid to the person who has the legal right to get them, and the amount of any benefits you repaid in 1996. It will also show amounts by which the benefits were reduced because you received workers compensation benefits.

For additional information, see Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits.

If any part of your social security or equivalent tier 1 railroad retirement benefits will be taxable in 1996, you may need to pay estimated tax. However, beginning in 1997 you may choose to have Federal income tax withheld from your benefits. Use Form W- 4V, Voluntary Withholding Request. Refer to Topic 355 for additional information on estimated tax.

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