Only nine U.S. states continue to require retirees to pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits:

In 2025, understanding the tax implications of Social Security benefits is crucial for financial planning. Not everyone will face taxes on these benefits, but knowing the thresholds and calculations can help you avoid unexpected liabilities.

This is something to be mindful of if your benefits see a substantial increase this year due to the Social Security Fairness Act. If you're concerned about what this could do to your tax liability, you can take steps to prepare yourself now so you don't get a surprise bill next tax season.