Does Pennsylvania tax Social Security?
Does not tax Social Security
No. Pennsylvania lists Social Security as income that is not taxable for its personal income tax.
What the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue says
We do not paraphrase the rule from memory. This is the state's own wording, copied from the page linked below it:
“INCOME NOT TAXABLE FOR PA PIT PURPOSES: • Social Security benefits and/or Railroad Retirement benefits”
Federal tax is a separate question
Even though Pennsylvania does not tax it, the IRS can still tax part of your Social Security on your federal return. Whether it does depends on your other income. Our taxable Social Security calculator follows the IRS worksheet line by line, and this guide explains the rule.
You can ask Social Security to withhold federal tax from each payment. Withholding for Pennsylvania state tax, if you need it, is arranged with the state, not with Social Security. State rules change with new laws, so check with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue before you file.
Other states where the answer is “does not tax Social Security”
Check our work
The answer above comes from this page. Follow the link and compare.
- 2025 PA-40 Personal Income Tax Return InstructionsPennsylvania Department of Revenue. Read on November 12, 2026.