Skip to main content
December 15, 2024
Solved

For 2023, If I filed "married filed jointly", is my social security cap 160,200? If we both worked at separate jobs and we paid more than 9,932.40, can we get a refund?

  • December 15, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views
Does the maximum limit on earnings for withholding social security taxes apply to a married couple as combined income? Or does the maximum limit apply to just individuals? So, if I filed "married filing Jointly" and we paid excess social security combined from two different jobs, can I get a refund of the excess paid?
    Best answer by xmasbaby0

    The excess SS "cap" is a per person amount---not an amount for the couple.    When you enter your incomes, you need to make very sure that you enter each W-2 under the specific spouse's name in the software.  The income screens will have spots with each of your names.   If you make a mistake and enter all of the income (and  thus all of the SS) under only one spouse's name, it could look like excess SS was withheld resulting in a refund.  When the IRS catches the mistake a year or two later, you would get a nasty letter demanding repayment of the inflated refund with interest.

    2 replies

    DoninGA
    Employee
    December 15, 2024

    The Social Security income cap for paying SS taxes is per individual regardless of your tax return filing status.

    December 15, 2024

    thanks for the quick reply.  I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss out on possibly a really nice loophole.

    xmasbaby0Answer
    Employee
    December 15, 2024

    The excess SS "cap" is a per person amount---not an amount for the couple.    When you enter your incomes, you need to make very sure that you enter each W-2 under the specific spouse's name in the software.  The income screens will have spots with each of your names.   If you make a mistake and enter all of the income (and  thus all of the SS) under only one spouse's name, it could look like excess SS was withheld resulting in a refund.  When the IRS catches the mistake a year or two later, you would get a nasty letter demanding repayment of the inflated refund with interest.

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**