A WRONG NUMBER CAN DELAY YOUR TAX RETURN

by Mike Baksa, Social Security Administration
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 2:10 PM MDT

If you expect a refund on your federal taxes, you can avoid a delay by making sure all names and Social Security numbers are recorded correctly on your tax return.

When processing tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) checks all names and Social Security numbers for accuracy. When IRS discovers an incorrect Social Security number on your tax return, they send you a letter explaining the discrepancy. To fix the problem, you’ll need to give IRS the correct Social Security number before you can expect your tax refund.

If you don't have a number or you need one for a dependent, call or visit Social Security. You'll need to show your age, citizenship or lawful alien status, and verify your identity. To learn more about the sort of information and documents you may need to submit, visit Social Security’s Card and Number website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/.

You should also check the Social Security number on your W-2 statement and pay stubs to make sure it matches the one on your card. If it does not match, tell your employer immediately and also contact Social Security.

Visit Social Security’s website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ to learn more about Social Security cards and numbers. You also can visit your local Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213. For the deaf and hard of hearing, the TTY number is 1-800-325-0778.

(Public Affairs Specialist Mike Baksa may be reached at michael.baksa@ssa.gov)

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