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IRS introducing truncation of SSN on some returns
Posted on Dec 5, 2009 by Tom Fragala
File this one under "About Time!" The IRS is going to test a program that will let filers on a few limited informational returns truncate their SSN.
The IRS has released Notice 2009-93, announcing a pilot program allowing filers of information returns to truncate an individual payee’s identifying number on paper statements for calendar years 2009 and 2010. An individual identifying number is a social security number, individual taxpayer identification number or adoption taxpayer identification number. The provision applies only to information returns in the 1098, 1099, and 5498 series. It does not apply to employer identification numbers (EINs) in the format xx-xxxxxxx. The notice also requests public comments by May 1, 2010.
Under this optional program, payers may replace the first five digits of identifying numbers with asterisks or the letter x. For example, a social security number could appear as xxx-xx-1234. This will enable better protection of personal identifying information for the recipients.
To see the requirements for participating in this pilot program, see Notice 2009-93. The notice also contains instructions on making public comments.
Of course, all this won't solve the problem that full SSNs are often a deterministic number, within a range, if one knows the last four digits.
Filed under: Privacy
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