Full Service Payroll and HR Outsourcing Services in Lakewood, Colorado

LoginEmployer & Employee
(303) 763-1857 Call Us Today
  • Home
  • Services
    • HR services
    • Payroll Services
    • Time & Attendance
    • Background Checks
    • Workers' Compensation
    • Labor Law Poster Services
  • About Us
    • Testimonials & Reviews
  • Areas We Serve
  • Useful Info
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMB Refer a Client

Full Service Payroll & HR Outsourcing Services
Refer a Client Login
  • Background Checks & Drug Screening (Schedule a Screening)
  • Timekeeper Login (Login to Time & Attendance Portal)
  • HR Center Login
  • Login (Employer & Employee)

Take the time to verify social security numbers during tax season.

Social Security Number Verification

written by Rebecca Streff

Social Security numbers – we all have them, and they are essential in the payroll industry. How do they work? And, how can you be sure they are accurate?

 

Prior to 2011, the Social Security Administration issued Social Security numbers based on a geographical method. The numbers were comprised of a 3-digit area number, 2-digit group number, and ending with a 4-digit serial number. The first three digits of each Social Security number indicated which part of the country the person was from based on zip code of the applicant. With this method, there were select area numbers that weren’t used when issuing Social Security numbers; no Social Security numbers were issued starting with the numbers 000, 666, and 900-999. 

The unassigned area numbers limited the Social Security numbers available for each assignment. The assignments were also limited based on the Social Security numbers available in each state, as determined by the area number. On July 3, 2007, the Social Security Administration announced their intent to randomize the Social Security numbers that are issued, in an effort to extend the longevity of the nine-digit Social Security numbers issued across the United States.

Image

This Social Security randomization took effect on June 25, 2011. This new method of issuance eliminated the geographical need for the area numbers, as it is no longer needed to allocate the Social Security number based on a person’s location. It also opened up those previously unused area numbers of 000, 666, and 900-999. 

 

It’s important to note that while the randomization method of issuing Social Security numbers opened up the previously unused area numbers for use, it did not change the fact that the 2-digit group number will never be 00. It also didn’t change that the last four digits of the Social Security number will never be 0000. Any Social Security number with a 00-group number or 0000-serial number will be an invalid Social Security number.

 

While this change to the randomization method took place over 7 years ago, the current effects to the payroll industry have been minimal. A majority of people who are working were issued their Social Security number before the randomization method took effect, so it would be very rare that a business owner or payroll professional would see a Social Security number beginning with those unused area numbers (000, 666, and 900-999). However, numbers that begin with these area numbers are out there. If you see a Social Security number beginning in any of these area numbers, it’s a good practice to research further. Only in situations of the Social Security Administration issuing someone a new number since 2011 would we see an adult with a Social Security number beginning with these unused area numbers. While those situations are rare, there are circumstances in which it could occur. 

Image

Even if the Social Security number you are looking at doesn’t begin with one of the unused area numbers, it’s still a good exercise to make sure that the number you have is accurate and matches the name that the Social Security Administration has on record. How can you do that? I’m glad you asked!

The IRS provides a verification option to business owners to verify that their employees’ names and Social Security numbers match the records with the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Number Verification Service is available directly through the Social Security Administration, and allows business owners to verify current or former employees’ Social Security numbers for wage reporting purposes. This is a prodigious benefit to employers since it can eliminate headaches that arise during the annual wage report and W2 submittal process when you discover that an employee’s Social Security number doesn’t match the records at the SSA. Additionally, it can reduce the number of W2c’s that need to be created and issued to correct a Social Security number that was reported incorrectly. 

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Social Security Number Verification Service or registering to use it, more information is available through the Social Security Administration’s website at https://www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnv.htm. 

 

 

 

Rebecca Streff

Operations Training and Support Specialist

Payroll Vault - Littleton, Colorado

 

Rebecca joined the Payroll Vault Team in 2014 where she began her payroll career as in intern at the Littleton, CO flagship office. Becky was quickly promoted to Payroll Specialist where she diligently continued learning and mastering all of the ins-and-outs of payroll processing. Standing strong in her belief that learning never stops, Becky was promoted to the Payroll Vault Franchising Headquarters office as the newest member of the operations training and support team, now guiding offices across the nation about how to adapt and grow alongside the often-changing efficiencies and regulations in the payroll industry. 

Image

Published on:

October 15, 2018

Share this post:

Share Share Share

All, Workforce Management System, Compliance, Payroll Service, Labor, payrollvault, taxes, social security

Related posts

How to Calculate Payroll: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
April 01, 2021 How to Calculate Payroll: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Payroll Fraud: How to Identify Fraud & Safeguard Your Company
March 23, 2021 Payroll Fraud: How to Identify Fraud & Safeguard Your Company
IMPORTANT: ERTC and why it is important to your business.
February 09, 2021 IMPORTANT: ERTC and why it is important to your business.
Federal Law Alert March 17, 2021 - American Rescue Plan Act Signed Into Law
March 19, 2021 Federal Law Alert March 17, 2021 - American Rescue Plan Act Signed Into Law
Employee Retention Tax Credit Clarification - if you have questions, we have answers.
March 19, 2021 Employee Retention Tax Credit Clarification - if you have questions, we have answers.
Payroll Tax Rates for New Employees | Payroll Tax Calculator
March 02, 2021 Payroll Tax Rates for New Employees | Payroll Tax Calculator
Did you know that the Employee Retention Tax Credit is built to help small business?
February 22, 2021 Did you know that the Employee Retention Tax Credit is built to help small business?
Retro Pay: How to Easily Calculate Retroactive Pay
February 16, 2021 Retro Pay: How to Easily Calculate Retroactive Pay
Can we give an employee notice ahead of time that their employment will be terminated?
February 04, 2021 Can we give an employee notice ahead of time that their employment will be terminated?
HR Compliance Checklist 2021 - Needed Prep for HR Audits
January 28, 2021 HR Compliance Checklist 2021 - Needed Prep for HR Audits

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMB

Contact Us

  • (303) 763-1857

  • 355 S. Teller Street, Suite#200, Lakewood,
    Colorado, 80226
  • Monday - Friday,
    9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Get Quote

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Areas We Serve
  • Blog
  • Useful Info
Newsletter

Our Services

  • Payroll Services
  • Time & Attendance
  • Background Checks
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Labor Law Poster Services
  • HR services
© 2021
Powered by Seosamba Franchise Business Software
Level Double-A conformance icon, W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1

Reset Form Get a Quote
  • Background Checks & Drug Screening (Schedule a Screening)
  • Timekeeper Login (Login to Time & Attendance Portal)
  • HR Center Login
  • Login (Employer & Employee)

Take the time to verify social security numbers during tax season. call now mail
Corporate Logo
  • Home
  • Services
    • HR services
    • Payroll Services
    • Time & Attendance
    • Background Checks
    • Workers' Compensation
    • Labor Law Poster Services
  • About Us
    • Testimonials & Reviews
  • Areas We Serve
  • Useful Info
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Take the time to verify social security numbers during tax season.
logo

Do you want to get notifications from this site?