Yes, you can get a tax refund if you receive disability benefits

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may still owe federal income tax and may be due a refund. The key is whether your total income — including your disability payments — crosses the threshold where you have to file a return. Many people on disability have income low enough that they do not have to file, but filing anyway can result in a refund of taxes withheld from other income sources.

The IRS does not treat disability benefits differently from other income when calculating your tax liability. What matters is your total income for the year and whether you had taxes taken out of paychecks, made estimated tax payments, or are due a refund based on tax credits you may have access to for.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI benefits are not taxable income, but SSI is also not taxable; however, if you have other income (wages, interest, pensions), you may owe tax and could be due a refund.
  • You can file a tax return even if you are not required to, and doing so may result in a refund if you had taxes withheld from wages or other sources.
  • The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit are available to many people on disability with low income and can result in refunds larger than taxes paid.
  • You can file by mail, online through free IRS software, or with help from a volunteer tax preparer at a VITA site.
  • If you cannot work due to disability, you may have a later filing deadline or other accommodations; contact the IRS directly to discuss your situation.

When SSDI and SSI are taxable

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is not taxable income at the federal level. This means your SSDI payments do not count toward your income when the IRS calculates whether you owe tax. However, if you have other income — such as wages from part-time work, interest from a savings account, or a pension — that other income is taxable.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is also not taxable. Like SSDI, SSI payments are excluded from your gross income for federal tax purposes. Again, any other income you receive during the year is what the IRS looks at.

The rule is straightforward: disability benefits themselves do not trigger a tax bill. But if you earned wages, received investment income, or had other sources of money, you may owe tax on those sources — or you may have had too much tax withheld and be due a refund.

Income thresholds and filing requirements

Whether you have to file a tax return depends on your total income from all sources (excluding your disability benefits) and your filing status. For 2024, a single person under 65 with no dependents must file if their gross income is $14,600 or more. If you are 65 or older, the threshold is higher. These thresholds change each year.

Even if your income is below the threshold and you are not required to file, you should consider filing if you had taxes withheld from paychecks or if you may be due a refundable tax credit. A refundable credit — such as the Earned Income Tax Credit — can result in a refund even if you owe no tax.

You can find the current filing thresholds on the IRS website or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your filing status and age ready when you call.

Tax credits that can result in refunds

Two major tax credits are worth checking: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit. Both are refundable, meaning you can receive a refund even if you owe no tax.

The EITC is designed for people with low to moderate income who work or have self-employment income. If you earned wages during the year, you may be due an EITC refund. The amount depends on your income, filing status, and whether you have dependents. For 2024, the maximum EITC for a single person with no dependents is $600; with one dependent, it is $3,995; with two dependents, $6,604; and with three or more dependents, $7,430. These amounts change yearly.

The Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per child under 17. If your income is low enough, the credit is refundable, meaning you can receive money back even if you owe no tax. The refundable portion is called the Additional Child Tax Credit.

If you are unsure whether you may have access to for these credits, a volunteer tax preparer can review your situation at no cost.

How to file your tax return

You have three main options: file online using free IRS software, file by mail, or work with a volunteer tax preparer.

Free online filing: The IRS Free File program offers free tax software to people with income below a certain threshold (usually around $79,000 for 2024). You can access the list of approved software providers on IRS.gov. You file electronically, and the IRS processes your return faster than paper filing — typically within 21 days if you request direct deposit.

File by mail: You can print and mail Form 1040 (the main individual income tax form) along with any supporting documents. Mail it to the address listed in the form instructions for your state. Processing takes longer — typically 4 to 6 weeks — and you will need to wait longer for a refund if you are due one.

Volunteer tax preparation: VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites offer free tax preparation to people with low to moderate income. You can find a VITA site near you by entering your zip code at IRS.gov or calling 211. A trained volunteer will prepare your return and file it electronically. This option is especially helpful if your situation is complex or if you are uncomfortable filing on your own.

Tracking your refund after filing

Once you file, you can track your refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once a day, usually overnight.

If you filed electronically and requested direct deposit, your refund typically arrives within 21 days. If you filed by mail or requested a check, allow 4 to 6 weeks. During tax season (January through April), processing times may be longer.

If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, use "Where's My Refund?" to check the status. If the tool shows your return was received but does not show a refund date, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about the delay.

Special situations and accommodations

If your disability prevents you from working or makes it difficult to prepare your own return, you may have options. The IRS can grant a filing extension if you are unable to file by the April deadline. You do not have to request this in advance — if you cannot file on time due to disability, you can file late and explain the reason when you submit your return.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, the IRS offers a TTY phone line at 1-800-829-4059. If you are blind or have low vision, the IRS can provide forms and publications in large print or Braille; call 1-800-829-1040 to request these materials.

If you have a representative — such as a power of attorney or a payee who manages your benefits — that person can file on your behalf if you give them written authorization. The representative will need to include Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) with your return.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you filed and did not receive your refund within the expected timeframe, start by checking "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov. If the tool shows no information or shows an error, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready.

If the IRS says your return was received but processed incorrectly, ask for a transcript of your account. The transcript shows what the IRS has on file for you and can help identify the problem. You can request a transcript online at IRS.gov, by phone, or by mail.

If you believe the IRS made an error on your return, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. You have three years from the original filing date to claim a refund you are due.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report my disability benefits as income on my tax return?

No. SSDI and SSI are not taxable income, so you do not report them on your return. You only report other income you received during the year, such as wages, interest, or self-employment income. The IRS will not ask you to account for your disability payments.

Can I get a refund if I did not work and only received disability benefits?

Only if you had taxes withheld from other income sources or if you are due a refundable tax credit. If your only income was disability benefits and you had no taxes withheld, you would not receive a refund. However, if you have a dependent child, you may be due a Child Tax Credit refund even with no other income.

What if I work part-time and receive disability benefits — do I have to file?

You have to file if your total income (wages plus any other income, but not disability benefits) exceeds the threshold for your filing status. For 2024, a single person under 65 must file if income is $14,600 or more. Even if you are below the threshold, filing may result in a refund if you had taxes withheld from your paychecks.

Can someone else file my tax return for me?

Yes. A family member, a representative payee, or a tax professional can file on your behalf if you give them written permission. If you use a representative, include Form 2848 with your return. VITA sites also prepare returns for free if you meet income requirements.

How long does it take to get my refund if I file by mail?

Paper returns typically take 4 to 6 weeks to process. If you file electronically and request direct deposit, your refund usually arrives within 21 days. During busy tax season, processing may take longer. You can check the status anytime using "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov.