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“Combined income” is defined as taxpayers’ adjusted gross income, plus their nontaxable interest earnings and half of their Social Security benefits.

The way you withdraw income — think taxable versus nontaxable accounts — affects everything from the taxes you pay to the price of health care.

Up to 85% of Social Security benefits are taxable if “combined income” — adjusted gross income, plus nontaxable interest, plus half of Social Security benefits — exceeds $44,000 for a couple.

Among other things, the lawsuit alleges that the couple helped orchestrate a scheme in which their son gave them a nontaxable “gift” of $10 million.

The taxable portion of your Social Security benefits is based on your combined income, which is the total of your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest and half of your Social Security benefits .