Should SSN be masked on W-2?

Asked by: Rosario Marvin  |  Last update: September 26, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (5 votes)

Each copy of Form W-2 must show the information required to be shown on the Form W-2 filed under § 1.6052-1. An employer may truncate an employee's social security number to appear in the form of an IRS truncated taxpayer identification number (TTIN) on copies of Forms W-2 furnished to the employee.

Can SSN be masked on 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 ...

Does W-2 have to show full Social Security number?

Social security numbers.

Employers may now truncate the employee's SSN on employee copies of Forms W-2. Do not truncate the employees' SSN on Copy A of Forms W-2, W-2c, W-2AS, W-2GU, and W-2VI. See Taxpayer identification numbers (TINs), later. Also see Regulations section 31.6051-1(a)(1)(i)(B) and 31.6051-2(a).

What does masked SSN mean?

A masked SSN is an alternative to using the complete SSN, IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or IRS Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN). The masked SSN displays only the last four digits of an individual's identifying number and is shown in the format XXX-XX-1234 or ***-**-1234.

How to unmask SSN on W-2?

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.

HR Tip: What happens if you have a bad SSN for your W2s

22 related questions found

What box is Social Security on W-2?

Box 4 - Social Security Tax Withheld

This amount represents the total Social Security taxes withheld from your wages. Box 4 is calculated as 6.2 percent of the Social Security wages in Box 3.

How to correct SSN on W-2?

To correct a Form W-2 you have already submitted, file a Form W-2c with a separate Form W-3c for each year needing correction. File a Form W-3c whenever you file a Form W-2c, even if you are only filing a Form W-2c to correct an employee's name or Social Security number (SSN).

What does it mean when a number is masked?

Masked Phone Numbers are a common pattern to anonymize communication between multiple parties and hide participant phone numbers. Instead of dialing directly from phone to phone, users communicate via a third ('proxy') phone number that forwards a call to the eventual destination.

What is a redacted Social Security number?

Taxpayer ID numbers, social security numbers, and employer ID numbers are redacted by leaving out everything but the last four numbers. For example: xxx-xx-1234. Dates of birth are redacted by leaving out everything but the year. For example: xx/xx/1996.

What is a masked identity?

"Masking" is the act of concealing one's true personality, as if behind a metaphorical, physical mask. Masking can be a behavior individuals adopt subconsciously as coping mechanisms or a trauma response, or it can be a conscious behavior an individual adopts to fit in within perceived societal norms.

What information is required on a W-2?

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.

Are employers required to verify social security numbers?

While not required, SSA provides a service for employers to verify a name and SSN for wage reporting purposes when you want additional assurance of an employee's correct name and SSN.

Does W-2 have full Social Security number reddit?

Most employers mask the SSN on W-2s.

Should my W-2 have my Social Security number?

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.

Why doesn't my W-2 show my full SSN?

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.

Can you mask SSN on 1099?

Just the right 4 digits are displayed. The TIN is protected, but the recipient knows this is his number. This protects the recipient/payee from identity theft. This is the reason the IRS now allows Truncation/Masking of both SSNs and EINs (Tax ID numbers).

What is a masked SSN?

When exporting the Social Security Number (SSN), Tax ID Number (TIN/EIN), National Insurance Number, or ID2 field, you can optionally choose to mask this field so that only the last 4 digits are visible in the exported file. When these numbers are masked, the number will appear as XXX-XX-1234.

Should I hide my Social Security number?

Each time an individual divulges his or her SSN, the potential for a thief to illegitimately gain access to bank accounts, credit cards, driving records, tax and employment histories and other private information increases.

What type of information should be redacted?

Social Security Numbers, Taxpayer identification numbers, names of minors, dates of birth, financial account numbers, home addresses, passport numbers, and driver license numbers. Please refer to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 and Local Rule 5.2-1.

Why would a number be hidden?

A person may want to use No Caller ID because they don't want to share their mobile phone number. Think celebrities looking for privacy or someone calling in an anonymous complaint. Or, people with bad intentions—like scammers or stalkers—may set up No Caller ID to conceal their identity.

What is masking your number?

Call masking lets you hide your contact information by displaying a “proxy” phone number on outbound calls. If you're making calls from your office desk phone, this isn't as important, but what if you want to work on the go and make phone calls from your cell phone? That's when this feature really comes in handy.

Is masked data personal information?

Data masking can also be referred as anonymization, or tokenization, depending on different context. The main reason to mask data is to protect information that is classified as personally identifiable information, or mission critical data.

What is the penalty for wrong Social Security number on W-2?

A mismatch occurs when the name associated with an SSN (Social Security number) does not match the agency's records. Incorrect Form W-2 penalties are calculated at a rate of $100 for each incorrect form.

What happens if I put the wrong SSN on my tax return?

If you made a mistake in entering a Social Security number, a payer's identification number, omitted a form, or misspelled a name, you can correct these errors and electronically file your tax return again. Unfortunately, there are other errors that will cause you to have to file your return by mail.

How do I prove my Social Security number on my W-2?

Documents to prove your SSN

NGB 22. W-2 Form (including W-2C, W-2G, etc.) SSA-1099 Form (including SSA-1099-SM, SSA-1099-R-OP1, etc.) Non-SSA 1099 Form (including 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, etc.)