Social Security tax planning
Social Security tax torpedo calculator
The tax torpedo happens when extra income causes more Social Security benefits to become taxable. This quick estimator shows the provisional income thresholds.
Open main calculatorBefore you decide
- Use annual benefits, not monthly benefits.
- Include taxable income such as wages, pensions, IRA withdrawals, and interest.
- Add tax-exempt interest because it counts in provisional income.
Tax torpedo quick estimator
Current provisional income
$43,000
Provisional income after extra income
$48,000
Current taxable benefit
$12,150
Taxable benefit after extra income
$16,400
Incremental taxable benefit
$4,250
Room to next threshold
Top range
IRS simplified provisional income thresholds for your filing status: $25,000 (up to 50% taxable) and $34,000 (up to 85% taxable).
What the estimate means
Provisional income
The simplified formula is other income plus tax-exempt interest plus one-half of Social Security benefits.
Taxable benefit is capped
Depending on provisional income, up to 50% or up to 85% of benefits may be taxable.
This is not total tax
The estimator shows taxable benefits, not your final federal income tax bill.
Official sources
- CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles for Medicare Part B premium and IRMAA amounts.
- SSA Form SSA-44 for IRMAA life-changing event reconsideration.
- IRS Social Security income guidance for taxable Social Security benefit rules.