Are Social Security disability benefits taxable?

The amount of Social Security disability benefits that are taxable depends on the total amount of a taxpayer's income and benefits for the taxable year, according to the IRS. For 2015, disability benefits may be taxable if the total of all other income and half of the benefits exceeds $25,000.

For married individuals filing jointly, the base amount before disability benefits are taxable is $32,000 in 2015, according to the IRS. The base amount for married individuals filing separately who lived with their spouse at any time during the tax year is zero. Tax-exempt interest must be included in income when calculating total income.