Social security number required on checks for tax payments

[m2m]

Federal and state instructions on how to pay taxes say to put in SSN on checks.  Is this a hard and fast rule? If not provided, payment not processed? Would just the last 4 digits suffice? This is just one more place that easily exposes personal information to identity theft.

[mwcpa]

If you are remitting a tax payment by check more than likely a payment coupon is being sent also with your social security number.

many states and the IRS offer other ways to pay tax, including ach debits and use of credit cards.

when I process an efile for a client I often suggest the ach option.  Some though fear the government having their banking data.... They do not realize a check has more data than the ach debit.

[busymom]

My Mom used to pay quarterly on her taxes.  I never had her write her # on the checks, because I, too, was worried about fraud.  Apparently, the government applied her payments properly (she did use coupons with her payments), because she never had any problems.

[TheOtherMe]

The coupons have your SSN on them.

[Ombud]

Did I miss something? The IRS already has your SSN -- putting it on the check is just a guarantee that it'll go to the file you want it to as you might be writing it fir your account or another's intentionally (yes, that happens). The voucher has the SSN too. So if you're worried that some dishonest IRS employee will tap into your SSA info -------

[curiousgeorge]

With so much cyber theft going on, I would think that requiring SSN should not be necessary in any document that can be compromised.  If the IRS can do with just the last 4 digits on W2, 1098, 1099, etc , why should they require the full SSN on payment vouchers and check payments? Credit card/bank statements - they all have only the last 4 digits.

I think this IRS requirement is a carryover from the old days when there were no sophisticated databases.  Any database that holds millions of people's personal identification, especially those that need to collect money, i.e. IRS, banks, medical insurance, etc. must have translation/cross-reference tables to enable them to collect their money.

[NoNamePerson]

I never put my SS# on my checks when I owe. Just like I never put my account number on the one or two CC that I pay by check.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Apr 16, 2013 22:31:13 GMT -5 curiousgeorge said:

With so much cyber theft going on, I would think that requiring SSN should not be necessary in any document that can be compromised.  If the IRS can do with just the last 4 digits on W2, 1098, 1099, etc , why should they require the full SSN on payment vouchers and check payments? Credit card/bank statements - they all have only the last 4 digits.

I think this IRS requirement is a carryover from the old days when there were no sophisticated databases.  Any database that holds millions of people's personal identification, especially those that need to collect money, i.e. IRS, banks, medical insurance, etc. must have translation/cross-reference tables to enable them to collect their money.

All the W-2's I'process have the full SSN on them.  As do all the 1099's I've processed.  The only forms I've seen with only the last 4 digits have been 1098's issued from schools, and that's because those are not sent to the IRS.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Apr 17, 2013 6:45:38 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

I never put my SS# on my checks when I owe. Just like I never put my account number on the one or two CC that I pay by check.

If you include the payment vouchers, those relevant numbers are all on the vouchers.  If not, I hope you enjoy the wait while they find your account!

[Ombud]

Apr 16, 2013 22:31:13 GMT -5 curiousgeorge said:

With so much cyber theft going on, I would think that requiring SSN should not be necessary in any document that can be compromised.  If the IRS can do with just the last 4 digits on W2, 1098, 1099, etc , why should they require the full SSN on payment vouchers and check payments? Credit card/bank statements - they all have only the last 4 digits.

I think this IRS requirement is a carryover from the old days when there were no sophisticated databases.  Any database that holds millions of people's personal identification, especially those that need to collect money, i.e. IRS, banks, medical insurance, etc. must have translation/cross-reference tables to enable them to collect their money.

Yes, alot of it is a carryover from days gone by but 2 yrs ago DD was seriously out of money so I paid her miniscule taxes for her. Would've hated it if they posted my payment to my account instead of hers. I was getting a small refund. This also happens in reverse where the adult child writes the IRS check for the aged parent. Maybe not for any YMers but it does happen

mwcpa, heard it's all going ach -- is that true?

Also, tell me where you were born and I'll guess where you got your SSN. That'll give me the first 3 numbers.

[NoNamePerson]

Apr 17, 2013 8:58:27 GMT -5 Rocky Mtn Saver said:

Apr 17, 2013 6:45:38 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

I never put my SS# on my checks when I owe. Just like I never put my account number on the one or two CC that I pay by check.

If you include the payment vouchers, those relevant numbers are all on the vouchers.  If not, I hope you enjoy the wait while they find your account!

Well, I am bright enough to know to include the voucher. I worked for CPA for 18 yrs and preached this to our clients

[mwcpa]

Ombud, yes, many payments are going ach.  In Cali if your tax bill is over a certain threshold you must remit by ach.  In ny corps, big and small, must remit estimates by ach.  It's the way we will all need to deal with in the future.