IRS Rule Allows Employers to Shorten Social Security Numbers on Employee W-2s

The IRS now allows an employer to truncate an employee’s Social Security number, using x’s or asterisks for the first five digits, on copies of W-2 forms that are provided to employees (copies B, C, and 2). The new rule does NOT apply to W-2s that must be sent to the IRS and the Social Security Administration (copy A). These copies must continue to show employees’ complete number to correctly identify them. Click here for more information.