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W-2 Rule Change Aims to Curb ID Theft

IRS proposal allows employers to truncate Social Security numbers

spinner image IRS Proposed Rule Change To Allow Employers To Put Truncated SSNs On W-2 Forms To Ward Off ID Theft
A new IRS proposal would help protect employees personal information by allowing shortened social security numbers on W-2 forms.
Peter Cade/Getty Images

The IRS has proposed a rule change designed to ward off identity theft by allowing employers to use a truncated form of Social Security numbers on W-2 wage and tax forms. The truncated numbers would identify taxpayers without using their full Social Security numbers, making them less vulnerable to ID thieves.

The IRS is asking for comments by Dec. 18 before carrying out the new regulations.

Employers are required to submit by Jan. 31 a W-2 statement spelling out the wages and tax withholdings for each taxpayer in the prior year.  The proposed rules would allow, but not require, employers to truncate the Social Security numbers on W-2s.

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For decades, federal agencies, taxpayers and consumers have been stricken with widespread identity theft, often using purloined Social Security numbers. Some thieves use stolen numbers to file tax forms under other people’s names so they can collect the refunds.

As a result, Congress, the IRS and many others have been looking for ways to limit the use of full SSNs. New Medicare cards, for example, will not use these numbers.

To guard against theft, taxpayer advocates recommend that people avoid carrying around their Social Security cards and refuse to relay their numbers to anyone but employers, lenders, the IRS and government-funded programs. The more the number is used, advocates say, the greater the risk.

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