Relocation of the SS Number on Form W-2

[kcjenkins]

Social Security and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) moved the “Employee’s Social Security Number” (SSN) box on the Form W-2 from “Box d” to “Box a.” The “Control Number” box, used optionally by some employers to identify individual Forms W-2, was moved from “Box a” to “Box d.” The Form ID number (“22222”) and the “Void” boxes were also relocated to the top left corner of the Form W-2. These changes were made to enhance processing efficiency and to protect the employee’s SSN from public disclosure when employers provide Forms W-2 to their employees using a window envelope.

Problem:

Social Security has received numerous paper Forms W-2 with the SSN in the improper position. Improper position of the SSN can delay processing. In addition, there has been a large number of paper Forms W-2 with the surname in an improper position. In many instances, the surname is overlapping the preprinted “22222” in the top left corner of the W-2.

Other problem areas on the paper Forms W-2 include:

· SSNs in the Employee Identification Number (EIN) box,

· Data overlapping the VOID box,

· Forms W-2 with 2007 printed on them, but are not the new revised forms,

· Forms W-2 showing no Form ID box, and

· SSNs printed in the top left corner.

Solution:

Review your paper Forms W-2, especially Copy A, to ensure that they are printed accurately prior to mailing them to Social Security’s Wilkes-Barre Data Operations Center.

For a copy of the Form W-2 Instructions go to www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw2w3.pdf.