W-2s include personal information like your Social Security number. If someone stole your W-2 or any of your other tax documents, they may try to use them to file a return and get a fraudulent refund. Learn the signs of tax-related identity theft and what to do if your personal information was compromised.
The first 5 digits of SSN on employee copies of W-2s will be masked. The purpose of this is to protect employee information on paper copies of Form W-2.
In an effort to help prevent identity theft, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin permitting employers to voluntarily truncate employees' social security numbers (SSNs) on copies of Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, that are provided to employees so that the truncated SSNs appear in the form of IRS truncated ...
Go to the Reports tab, select Tax Reports and click the Wage and Tax Register report to verify additional information. Note: Use the Show Social Security Number field at the top of the W-2 Preview and Wage and Tax Register reports to unmask SSNs.
You can find your Social Security number on tax documents and bank or financial statements. If you don't have any documentation, you can request a new Social Security card online with the Social Security Administration.
Otherwise, you'll need to contact your employer or SSA for a copy. The quickest way to obtain a copy of your current year Form W-2 is through your employer. Your employer first submits Form W-2 to SSA; after SSA processes it, they transmit the federal tax information to the IRS.
Box 2 (Federal Income Tax Withheld): This amount represents the total amount withheld from your paycheck for federal income taxes. Box 3 (Social Security Wages): This represents income subject to Social Security tax.
Our customers can get an instant verification letter online with a personal my Social Security account. Also, they may continue to call us toll-free to request a letter by mail.
Your Social Security number often appears on tax documents and financial statements. Check tax forms such as your old W-2s, 1099s, or tax returns to see if your SSN is on one of them. If you don't have access to your tax forms, look at other financial documents you have available.
The most convenient way to do business with us from any location and on any device is to visit www.ssa.gov to get information and use our online services. Or, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you're deaf or hard of hearing. We can answer your call from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays.
The State vital statistics office or other appropriate agency may not display SSN(s) on the portion of the birth certificate issued upon request. The SSN must be printed on the portion of the birth certificate which remains in the official birth records and is not released.
Employers are required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to report employees' wage and salary information on Form W-2. The amount of federal, state and other income taxes withheld from the employee's paycheck during the calendar year is reported on the Form W-2.
Most employers mask the SSN on W-2s.
Box 1 - Wages, Tips, and Other Compensation
Box 1 shows the amount of gross taxable wages an employer paid. These wages include prizes, bonuses, fringe benefits, and salaries.
The current tax rate for Social Security is 6.2% for the employer and 6.2% for the employee, or 12.4% total.
Truncation of SSNs on employee copies of Form W-2 is voluntary. You are not required to truncate SSNs on employee copies of Form W-2. Check with your state, local, or territorial governments to determine whether you are permitted to truncate SSNs on copies of Form W-2 submitted to the government.
Box 2 — Shows the total federal income tax withheld from your paycheck for the tax year. Include this amount on the federal income tax withheld line of your tax return (Form 1040, line 25a). Box 3 — Shows your employee wages subject to Social Security tax, which could be different from what's reported on box 1.
Each year employers send Copy A of Forms W-2 to Social Security. Social Security matches the name and Social Security number (SSN) on each Form W-2 against its database of all SSNs issued. When we find a match, we record the earnings information from the Form W-2 in the employee's earnings history.
Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.