Should You File Separately for Medicare IRMAA? | HelpAdvisor.com (2024)

Should You File Separately for Medicare IRMAA? | HelpAdvisor.com (1)

Christian Worstell | November 15, 2023

Who doesn’t want to save money on their Medicare insurance? Beneficiaries are often careful to avoid out-of-network charges, take the time to shop around for more affordable plans every year and take other measures designed to keep more money in their own pockets.

So why not file your taxes differently too?

If you earn a higher income, you may be familiar with the Income-Related Monthly Adjusted Amount, or IRMAA. If you’re not up to speed, IRMAA is a surcharge for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums that is applied to beneficiaries who earn an income above a certain threshold.

But there’s one small caveat about IRMAA. The amount of IRMAA tax that you pay for your Medicare premiums can be lowered simply by filing your taxes differently.

Have Medicare questions?

Talk to a licensed agent today to find a plan that fits your needs.

877-578-6039

How Is IRMAA Determined?

IRMAA charges are determined by using the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) reported on your taxes from two years prior.

If your 2022 reported MAGI is above a certain limit, you pay extra for your Medicare Part B and/or Part D premiums in 2024. And the more you earn, the more you’ll pay. If your income is at or below the limit, you pay only the standard amount and nothing extra.

The charts below show how much IRMAA tax you may be responsible for given your reported income.

IRMAA Brackets for 2024

Medicare Part B IRMAA 2024 Brackets
2022 Individual tax return2022 Joint tax return2022 Married and separate tax return2024 Part B monthly premium
$103,000 or less$206,000 or less$103,000 or less$174.70
More than $103,000 and up to $129,000More than $206,000 and up to $258,000N/A$244.60
Above $129,000 to $161,000Above $258,000 to $322,000N/A$349.40
More than $161,000 up to $193,000More than $322,000 up to $386,000N/A$454.20
More than $193,000 up to less than $500,000More than $386,000 up to less than $750,000More than $103,000 up to less than $397,000$559.00
More than or equal to $500,000More than or equal to $750,000More than or equal to $397,000$594.00

Have Medicare questions?

Talk to a licensed agent today to find a plan that fits your needs.

877-578-6039

Medicare Part D IRMAA 2024 Bracket
2022 Individual tax return2022 Joint tax return2022 Married and separate tax return2024 Part D monthly premium
$103,000 or less$206,000 or less$103,000 or less

Your plan premium

More than $103,000 and up to $129,000More than $206,000 and up to $258,000N/A

$12.90 + your plan premium

More than $129,000 up to $161,000More than $258,000 up to $322,000N/A

$33.30 + your plan premium

More than $161,000 up to $193,000More than $322,000 up to $386,000N/A

$53.80 + your plan premium

More than $193,000 up to less than $500,000More than $386,000 up to less than $750,000More than $103,000 up to less than $397,000

$74.20 + your plan premium

More than or equal to $500,000More than or equal to $750,000More than or equal to $397,000

$81.00 + your plan premium

Is it Better to File Separately?

What do you notice when looking at the charts above? For beneficiaries of particular income brackets, filing your taxes jointly can save you bundles on your Medicare premiums when compared to filing married but separate.

For example, let’s say your 2022 reported income was $104,000. If you filed jointly, you’ll be paying the standard Part B premium of $174.70 per month in 2024 and no additional tax on top of any Part D premiums.

But if you filed that $104,000 as married but separate, you’d be paying $559 each month for Part B and a $74.20 per month tax on top of any Part D premiums.

That’s an enormous difference in your Medicare premiums. If you had both Part B and Part D, the savings would amount to more than $5,000 per year for each person, or more than $10,000 per year as a household if both spouses have both Part B and Part D in 2024.

Of course, filing jointly won’t help in every scenario. If your 2022 MAGI was over $750,000, your 2024 Part B and Part D IRMAA costs would be from the highest bracket whether you filed married but separate or jointly in 2022.

There is typically not a scenario in which filing jointly will cause you to pay more IRMAA versus filing separately.

In other words, filing jointly will typically either lower your IRMAA or keep it the same. It won't usually cause you to pay more. Filing separately will either raise your IRMAA or keep it the same in most cases. It won't typically cause you to pay less for Part B or Part D.

To be clear, there are numerous other pros and cons of filing your taxes jointly vs. separate that you should consider.

To determine if you would benefit more by filing jointly, simply consult the charts above to find your income level and check the corresponding IRMAA amounts for both joint and married but separate filings.

Should You File Separately for Medicare IRMAA? | HelpAdvisor.com (2)

Learn More About Medicare

Join our email series to receive your free Medicare guide and the latest information about Medicare and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).

By clicking "Sign me up!" you are agreeing to receive emails from HelpAdvisor.com

Thanks for signing up!

Your free Medicare guide is on the way.

Make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see it.

Does IRMAA Apply to Both Spouses?

IRMAA applies to both spouses when both are on Medicare. Medicare premiums are charged to each individual beneficiary as there is no “family plan.”

Should Two High-Income Earners File Separately?

If your 2022 MAGI is at least $750,000, it makes no difference how you filed for the purpose of IRMAA, as your increased premium amounts will be the same either way.

But when two high-income earners combine to make less than $750,000, it may be advantageous to file jointly.

For example, if your combined 2022 MAGI was $600,000, a joint file would require a 2024 Part B payment of $559 per month and an additional $74.20 for Part D in 2024.

Meanwhile, a married but separate file in 2022 would require $594 per month for Part B in 2024 and an extra $81 for Part D.

Again, filing separately may not cost you more in every situation, but it typically won't save you money on your Medicare IRMAA.

Is it Better to File Separately if One Spouse is on Social Security?

Social Security status for the purpose of IRMAA makes no difference. IRMAA is based off income and tax filing status.

Any income received through Social Security will count toward one’s IRMAA status.

Does Social Security Automatically Adjust IRMAA?

Any applicable IRMAA tax will be automatically added to your Medicare Part A or Part D premium.

IRMAA amounts typically increase each year, and any increase will also be automatically adjusted to your bill.

How Else Can I Save Money on Medicare?

There are some additional ways you can save money on your Medicare coverage. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan can provide coverage for Medicare deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

Have Medicare questions?

Talk to a licensed agent today to find a plan that fits your needs.

877-578-6039

Should You File Separately for Medicare IRMAA? | HelpAdvisor.com (2024)

FAQs

Should You File Separately for Medicare IRMAA? | HelpAdvisor.com? ›

Meanwhile, a married but separate file in 2022 would require $594 per month for Part B in 2024 and an extra $81 for Part D. Again, filing separately may not cost you more in every situation, but it typically won't save you money on your Medicare IRMAA.

Is Medicare Irmaa billed separately? ›

If you have a higher income, you might pay more for your Medicare drug coverage. If your income is above a certain limit ($103,000 if you file individually or $206,000 if you're married and file jointly), you'll pay an extra amount in addition to your plan premium (sometimes called “Part D-IRMAA”).

Can married filing separately apply for Irmaa 2024? ›

Here are the 2024 IRMAA amounts for married taxpayers that file separately: Part B Coverage. For 2024, if your income is greater than $103,000 and less than $397,000 the IRMAA amount is $384.30. If income is greater than or equal to $397,000 the IRMAA is $419.30.

What tax return is used for Irmaa? ›

The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines if you owe an IRMAA based on the income you reported on your IRS tax return two years prior, meaning two years before the year when you pay the IRMAA. For example, Social Security would use tax returns from 2023 to determine your IRMAA in 2025.

Is Irmaa automatically adjusted every year? ›

IRMAA applicability and amounts are recalculated annually. The IRMAA surcharge is added to your 2024 premiums if your 2022 income was over $103,000 (or $206,000 if you're married). You will receive notice from the Social Security Administration to inform you if you are being assessed IRMAA.

What is the two year rule for Irmaa? ›

SSA determines if you owe an IRMAA based on the income you reported on your IRS tax return two years prior, meaning two years before the year that you start paying IRMAA.

How do I get Irmaa reimbursem*nt? ›

If you are determined eligible for IRMAA reimbursem*nt, you will receive a reimbursem*nt check from the Office of the State Comptroller. You will receive a letter documenting the details of your reimbursem*nt. You will also receive written notification if EBD determines you are ineligible for IRMAA reimbursem*nt.

How to avoid irmaa for Medicare? ›

How to Avoid IRMAA
  1. Adopting a tax-smart retirement withdrawal strategy.
  2. Allocating to tax-efficient investments.
  3. Utilizing a Medicare Savings Account (MSA)
  4. Tax-Gain Harvesting.
  5. Processing Roth conversions.
  6. Requesting a recalculation of IRMAA due to a “life-changing event” using Form SSA-44.
May 1, 2024

Does Irmaa apply to both spouses? ›

Does IRMAA Apply to Both Spouses? IRMAA applies to both spouses when both are on Medicare. Medicare premiums are charged to each individual beneficiary as there is no “family plan.”

Does Social Security count as income for Irmaa? ›

So, the answer is yes, IRMAA does include Social Security, but only the taxable portion of your benefit. If your income comes from retirement savings that are not on lines 2a and 11 of your 2022 IRS form 1040 then there is a high probability that your Social Security will not count towards IRMAA.

Can I deduct Irmaa on my taxes? ›

If you're one of the Medicare beneficiaries who fall into this category, then know that IRMAA increases the monthly premium amounts for Parts B and D if your income goes over certain thresholds. But there's good news – these increased payments are also tax-deductible.

How long does it take to get an Irmaa refund? ›

Processing time for IRMAA documents is up to 60 calendar days. To ensure secure and timely processing, upload your or your dependent's SSA notice online by logging in to your myCalPERS account by selecting the Health tab, then the Health Summary option.

Do capital gains count toward Irmaa? ›

Key Takeaway: IRMAA isn't a random calculation. It's influenced by your gross income, filing status, and even dividends or capital gains you make.

Is Irmaa based on gross income or taxable income? ›

The 'Medicare tax', or IRMAA, takes into account your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). It impacts Parts B and D of Medicare by progressively increasing the cost based on your income level. So if you're earning more than $103,000 individually or $206,000 as a couple in 2023 – brace yourself for higher costs.

Do you have to apply for Irmaa every year? ›

You won't have to take any additional action to pay the surcharges associated with the IRMAA. They will be automatically added to your premium bills. Each year, the SSA reevaluates whether an IRMAA should apply to your Medicare premiums. So, depending on your income, an IRMAA could be added, updated, or removed.

Can Irmaa be adjusted retroactively? ›

If we make a new initial determination in the beneficiary's favor, we retroactively refund the excess IRMAA amount paid.

Is Irmaa paid by both spouses? ›

IRMAA applies to both spouses when both are on Medicare. Medicare premiums are charged to each individual beneficiary as there is no “family plan.”

How does Medicare Irmaa work? ›

IRMAA is an additional surcharge that can be added to your monthly Medicare premiums based on your yearly income. It applies only to Medicare parts B and D. The SSA uses your income tax information from 2 years ago to determine whether you owe an IRMAA.

How do you bill Medicare when it is a secondary payer? ›

When Medicare is the secondary payer, submit the claim first to the primary insurer. The primary insurer must process the claim in accordance with the coverage provisions of its contract.

What are the rules for Irmaa? ›

What is an IRMAA? People with Medicare who earn a high income have to pay an IRMAA, an extra charge on Medicare Parts B and D. The fee kicks in if you make more than $97,000 (going up to $103,000 in 2024) or if you and your spouse collectively earn over $194,000 (going up to $206,000 in 2024).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 6415

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.