No one enjoys tax time, but if you’re a senior, it can be especially difficult. Not only are you living off a fixed income, but the IRS typically doesn’t withhold anything from your retirement account withdrawals upfront, so you may wind up with a bill when you file your return.

Retirement account withdrawals and earnings from a job may not be the only taxable income you have, either. The federal government taxes seniors’ Social Security benefits if their income exceeds certain thresholds. If you live in one of the following nine states, you could owe some state Social Security benefit taxes as well.

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But before you panic, doublecheck your state’s rules because you may be exempt. Here’s a more detailed rundown.

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1. Colorado

For the 2024 tax year, Colorado enables those 65 and older to subtract the total amount of Social Security benefits that were included in their federal taxable income from their state taxable income. For example, if you owed federal taxes on $5,000 of your Social Security benefits, you could subtract that $5,000 from the Social Security benefits you list on your state tax return.

However, this is only available to single adults with adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of $75,000 or less or married couples with AGIs of $95,000 or less. In 2025, Colorado has expanded this rule to all residents 55 and older. The AGI limits still apply.

2. Connecticut

Connecticut doesn’t tax the Social Security benefits of any of its residents with AGIs under $100,000 for married couples filing jointly or $75,000 for all other filing statuses. Those with AGIs over this limit may qualify for a partial exemption.

3. Minnesota

Minnesota follows a similar path to Colorado in that it exempts some or all federally taxable Social Security benefits from state benefit taxes. The following table outlines the AGI limits for the state’s benefit tax for the 2024 tax year:

Source: Minnesota House of Representatives.

4. Montana

Montana follows the same rules as the federal government when deciding whether to tax Social Security benefits. It looks at provisional income, which is AGI, plus nontaxable interest from municipal bonds, and half your annual Social Security benefit. The table below outlines what percentage of your benefit could be subject to federal and Montana Social Security benefit taxes based on your provisional income and marital status:

Source: IRS and Montana Governor’s Office.

5. New Mexico

New Mexico residents won’t owe state Social Security benefit taxes if their income is under $100,000 for single filers. Married couples filing jointly, heads of household, and qualifying widow(er)s qualify for an exemption if their income is $150,000 or less. For married couples filing separately, they must have $75,000 or less in income to qualify for the exemption.

6. Rhode Island

Rhode Island enables its residents to exempt up to $20,000 per person — $40,000 for married couples — of their Social Security benefits from state income tax if they meet two criteria. First, you must be at or over your full retirement age (FRA). This is between 66 and 67 for most people today, though some older adults may have FRAs as young as 65.

You also need to have a federal AGI under certain limits. Single adults and heads of household will qualify as long as their AGI is no more than $101,000. Married couples filing jointly and qualifying widow(er)s may earn up to $126,150 and still qualify for the exemption. Married couples filing separately are limited to just $101,025 or less to qualify.

7. Utah

Utah taxes the Social Security benefits of all its residents, but it also has a Social Security tax credit that helps reduce your tax liability. The tax credit varies depending on your filing status and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). You can calculate yours using this worksheet.

There’s been a recent push in Utah’s government to eliminate Social Security benefit taxes. It’s unclear whether this will succeed, but if it does, Utah’s retirees may not have to worry about this tax in future years.

8. Vermont

Vermont exempts all Social Security benefits from state taxes for those with AGIs under $65,000 for married couples filing jointly and $50,000 for all other filing statuses. There’s also a partial credit available for married couples filing jointly with AGIs between $65,001 and $74,999 and for other filers with AGIs between $50,001 and $59,999.

9. West Virginia

West Virginia doesn’t tax the Social Security benefits of those with AGIs of $50,000 or less or $100,000 or less for joint filers. For the 2024 tax year, the state will also exempt 35% of benefits for those with AGIs exceeding these limits. This will rise to 65% for the 2025 tax year before the state eliminates its Social Security benefit tax for 2026 and beyond.

If you have any questions about your state’s benefit taxes and how they might affect you, consult a tax professional in your area. They can give you personalized advice based on your situation.

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