With Apologies to George W. Bush: "It's Not the Government's Money. It's the People's Money."

The federal government leaned on the Social Security money so hard the past years and then pretend they don’t know why Social Security has its challenges on staying afloat.

When did it become a tax?

Just remember, boys and girls, The Kerrey Danforth Report says that by 2030 the ENTIRE federal budget will be just INTEREST ON SOCIAL SECURITY DEBT. No defense. No checks to people. No highways, bridges, government,etc. Just interest on Social Security debt.
And ALL income taxation will be 90 percent across the board.
That was predicted in the report if nothing is done about spending. And Democrat presidents and Congresses have done nothing but INCREASE spending.

This won't affect those drawing below the poverty line. Which is $14,580 per year. That is not taxed. Approximately 9% drawing SSI are below the poverty line in 2020. So it's likely higher today.

https://www.aei.org/economics/social-security-and-the-poverty-line/

I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but Social Security is a WELFARE program. The original administrators of Social Security argued it was a WELFARE PROGRAM before the Supreme Court in a cast called Fleming V. Nestor. The idea, according to the ORIGINAL framers of Social Security is for that program to be financed by Congress's ability to tax.

I don't like it either. But it's the truth.

Social Security and similar govt benefits should never be taxed unless they are added to some other substantial income the recipient earns such as share dividends or an income based pension..😷