vpFREE2 Forums

Social Security & W2Gs

Hi all

A person I know mentioned to me that his social security check was cut
by $200 because of W2Gs. I was not aware of this being possible if one
filed a long form. I believe this guy filed a long form. However, he
said he forgot or over looked a couple big signers. So they cut his
check. Is this possible?

In addition, can someone post a short answer of the rules? I don't
have to worry about this for a while but is info that might be worth
knowing for the future. I'd bet there are at least a couple others on
this group that might be needing same info in too short of time from
now.

Cheers...Jeep

whitejeeps wrote:

A person I know mentioned to me that his social security check was
cut by $200 because of W2Gs. I was not aware of this being possible
if one filed a long form. I believe this guy filed a long form.
However, he said he forgot or over looked a couple big signers. So
they cut his check. Is this possible?

In addition, can someone post a short answer of the rules? I don't
have to worry about this for a while but is info that might be worth
knowing for the future. I'd bet there are at least a couple others
on this group that might be needing same info in too short of time
from now.

My reply entails mere speculation. Among other things, specific
income circumstances aren't revealed. Nor is the magnitude of the
"big signers".

However, as indicated in another reply, the income threshold over
which the W2G's would need to push for this to be a consequence of a
reduced benefit is something in excess of $200K. I'm wondering if,
instead, what's happened is that involuntary tax withholding has been
imposed where there had been none before -- in response to the failure
to report income on the return.

I agree with jeeps that this is something to be explored. If he can
review the circumstances in a little more detail it will be helpful.

- Harry

You won't experience additional withholdings as far as
I know, if you receive W2G showing additional winnings
from gambling. What happens is that you may have
exceeded you allowable income threshold, which varies
by your filing status, set by IRC and any earnings
above that amount will move your social security
payments to the taxable income and you may have to pay
FIT on you SS income. Most of retirees have inadequate
itemized deductions to exceed their standard deduction
which may exceed their standard deductions allowable
by IRC. Furthermore, retirees can not file as
professional gamblers, so simply they have to pay
additional tax on their social security payments.
Double taxation against income that you paid taxes on
and was held for your retirement. It is advisable to
consult with a tax professional to assure that all
possible options are explored to minimize this added
FIT. Our legislatures do not hold any sympathy for
gamblers and the Casinos have not done adequate
lobbying to stop this double taxation.
Vet

···

--- whitejeeps <whitejeeps@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi all

A person I know mentioned to me that his social
security check was cut
by $200 because of W2Gs. I was not aware of this
being possible if one
filed a long form. I believe this guy filed a long
form. However, he
said he forgot or over looked a couple big signers.
So they cut his
check. Is this possible?

In addition, can someone post a short answer of the
rules? I don't
have to worry about this for a while but is info
that might be worth
knowing for the future. I'd bet there are at least
a couple others on
this group that might be needing same info in too
short of time from
now.

Cheers...Jeep

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Hi all

A person I know mentioned to me that his social security check was

cut

by $200 because of W2Gs. I was not aware of this being possible if

one

filed a long form. I believe this guy filed a long form. However,

he

said he forgot or over looked a couple big signers. So they cut

his

check. Is this possible?

In addition, can someone post a short answer of the rules? I don't
have to worry about this for a while but is info that might be

worth

knowing for the future. I'd bet there are at least a couple others

on

this group that might be needing same info in too short of time

from

now.

I suspect it has to do with the 85% vs 50% SS income amount. By
increasing W2Gs the AGI is increased which I believe is the figure
used to determine this threshold. There are worksheets on page 5-9 of

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf

Dick

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "whitejeeps" <whitejeeps@...> wrote:

Harry

The details; Guy had over $200,000 W2Gs in 2006. He got on a $5 DDB
kick. As you know each 4kd is at least $1250. (What a dunce!) I say
that in a friendly tone as he is a friend of mine. He's about 69 yrs
old now. He also had some regular income. He speculates that he
missed some signers to the tune of 20 or 40 thousand; the price of a
$5 royal or two. But, he's not sure if that's it. Since he was a
late filer in Oct 07 for his 06 tax, he has just got notice of
deduction in SS payments. He hasn't had time to sort out the damage.
He also mentioned some kind of penalty. Might be a payback for
overpayment of SS for the 07 year. At this point in time he's not
sure what's going on.

From the posts to now, it's clear this is a subject thats worth
exploring by those of us in the AARP boat.

Cheers...Jeep
.
.--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Harry Porter" <harry.porter@...>
wrote:

My reply entails mere speculation. Among other things, specific
income circumstances aren't revealed. Nor is the magnitude of the
"big signers".

However, as indicated in another reply, the income threshold over
which the W2G's would need to push for this to be a consequence of

a

reduced benefit is something in excess of $200K. I'm wondering if,
instead, what's happened is that involuntary tax withholding has

been

imposed where there had been none before -- in response to the

failure

to report income on the return.

I agree with jeeps that this is something to be explored. If he

can

review the circumstances in a little more detail it will be

helpful.

···

- Harry

Cheep,

A lot of misinformation has been posted on this subject. A new
Medicare law went into effect last year. The Medicare Part B premium
that most people start paying at age 65 is only 25% of the cost.
Since the Medicare trust fund is running out of money much faster
than the Retirement trust fund Congress decided higher income folks
should pay more than 25%. A lot of high income folks get their high
income from other places besides working which is why they use your
adjusted gross income for this calculation.

As usual the recreational gambler gets screwed because he does not
get to subtact his losses to determine his real income from
gambling. I would suggest your friend explain this to his elected
representatives as I am sure most of Congress is completely unaware
of this unintended consequence.

DRAINBRAMAGE,

You don't have to grind it on quarters to stay under the Social
Security earnings limit which is competely different from the
Medicare calculation. You aren't old enough for Medicare so go ahead
and play the $5 and the 100 play machines. W2Gs do not count for the
earnings test only real wages and self-employment income.

Chris

Harry

The details; Guy had over $200,000 W2Gs in 2006. He got on a $5 DDB
kick. As you know each 4kd is at least $1250. (What a dunce!) I say
that in a friendly tone as he is a friend of mine. He's about 69

yrs

old now. He also had some regular income. He speculates that he
missed some signers to the tune of 20 or 40 thousand; the price of

a

$5 royal or two. But, he's not sure if that's it. Since he was a
late filer in Oct 07 for his 06 tax, he has just got notice of
deduction in SS payments. He hasn't had time to sort out the

damage.

He also mentioned some kind of penalty. Might be a payback for
overpayment of SS for the 07 year. At this point in time he's not
sure what's going on.

From the posts to now, it's clear this is a subject thats worth
exploring by those of us in the AARP boat.

Cheers...Jeep
.
.--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Harry Porter" <harry.porter@>
wrote:
> My reply entails mere speculation. Among other things, specific
> income circumstances aren't revealed. Nor is the magnitude of the
> "big signers".
>
> However, as indicated in another reply, the income threshold over
> which the W2G's would need to push for this to be a consequence

of

a
> reduced benefit is something in excess of $200K. I'm wondering

if,

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "whitejeeps" <whitejeeps@...> wrote:

> instead, what's happened is that involuntary tax withholding has
been
> imposed where there had been none before -- in response to the
failure
> to report income on the return.
>
> I agree with jeeps that this is something to be explored. If he
can
> review the circumstances in a little more detail it will be
helpful.
>
> - Harry
>

I'm not so sure Congress cares; except for someone from Nevada or NJ.
In their business, it is probably an advantage to them to be against
gambling.

Just a thought...Jeep
.
.
.

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "kcace1024" <cy4873@...> wrote:

Cheep,

As usual the recreational gambler gets screwed because he does not
get to subtact his losses to determine his real income from
gambling. I would suggest your friend explain this to his elected
representatives as I am sure most of Congress is completely unaware
of this unintended consequence.