Unreported income means that you worked but you didn’t let Social Security know. It could also mean they have no record that you informed them on time.
- Social Security counts income for the month when it is earned, not when it is paid.
- Even if you work for only a short time, you must let Social Security know.
- You must let Social Security know each time your earnings in a month go up or down.
You need to report earnings and changes by the 10th of the next month.
If you had income or your income changed during this month: |
You must tell Social Security about that income no later than this date: |
January |
February 10 |
February |
March 10 |
March |
April 10 |
April |
May 10 |
May |
June 10 |
June |
July 10 |
July |
August 10 |
August |
September 10 |
September |
October 10 |
October |
November 10 |
November |
December 10 |
December |
January 10 |
To prove you told them on time, this is what you should do:
- Write a letter telling Social Security about the income or how it changed. Sign and date the letter. Make a copy of the letter and keep the copy for yourself.
- Make copies of your paystubs and include them with the letter.
- Send the original letter by certified mail with a return receipt requested. You must do this at the post office window. Keep the receipt from the post office.
- Also keep the return receipt, which is the signed post card that comes back to you in the mail showing that Social Security got your letter.