Never mind. I see that the needed worksheet is included in the 1040 instructions book. Now I remember that that's been true in the past too.
But I still thought you might like this story, and questions a and c were less important but still could use answers:
This year to calcullate the taxable portion of my Social Security, I dl'd the Social Security Benefits WorksheetLines 5a and 5b. This form was directly referred to in the 1040 instructions.
a) Less important than b: When I got to the bottom, add this, multiply this, compare this, over and over, I had no idea what the goal was, how the calculations arrived at some statutory or reasonable or even unreasonable goal as to how much should be taxable. In fact I got two separate deductions from gross income for being single. (and others also get two, just different amounts.) Does anyone know the goal of the calculations?
b) and then I noticed the almost final line instruction: "Also enter this amount on Form 1040, line 5b . . . . . . . . . ". but it actually goes into line *6*b. How could they get that wrong?
And then I noticed more of the heading, "2018 Form 1040Lines 5a and
5b". 2018!!!!!! I got this form straight from the IRS.
The first hit was
c) How come the computerized service at Social Security, to learn the total paid, is not 24/7. It has a lot of hours, "Online Services Hours of Service: Monday - Friday 4:15 AM - 1 AM ET | Saturday 5 AM - 11 PM ET | Sunday 8 AM - 11:30 PM ET" but it's a computer: Why not 23 or
24/7?