Lost Ss Card

[SueBaby]

Client had a baby in Oct and already has lost the SS card she got. Do I paper file it without the number ?

The couple said leave the baby off until they get another card, I explained that is $1000 left off. Plus $300 for the rebate soon, so can I mail it without it?

They have tried calling the SS office with no help but a busy phone all the time. Why people wait till the last minute with problems I can't figure out!

[veritas]

File

extension......

[SueBaby]

extension......

I suggested that they want to leave her off so they can get some money back NOW. It was an extension for me and for them to leave her off. So would you leave the baby off or suggest AGAIN about an extension?

[Gary]

You Can File

Have one of the parents call Social Security, get the chidl's SSN, give it to you, and then file the return.

Gary

[Koss]

Visit SSA Office

Have one of the parents call Social Security, get the chidl's SSN, give it to you, and then file the return.

Gary

The staff of the Social Security Administration is not going to give out anyone's SSN over the phone.

But either parent can visit a Social Security office in person, and present identification. If an SSN was already issued to the child, they will be given the SSN, and they will get a computer printout of it that shows exactly how the child's name appears on the social security card.

FYI: As a tax pro, you are not required to see the social security card, or the computer printout, or any other evidence that proves what a person's SSN is. This applies to the taxpayer, spouse, and dependents.

In fact, my understanding is that currently, the IRS does not require a tax pro to obtain any identification at all from a client.

It doesn't matter whether you are a CPA, EA, or unenrolled preparer. It simply isn't a requirement--even if you are filing the return electronically.

As usual, every rule has an exception. I will readily acknowledge that if you are filing the return electronically and using the RAL or ERC process, then, yes, you have to get ID from the client and the spouse. But it's not the IRS that requires it. And you're still not required to see the social security card. The ID requirements on a RAL or ERC are triggered by the Patriot Act, because technically the client is opening a bank account right at your desk. It isn't the IRS that requires ID; it's the bank.

A social security card is not a form of identification; neither is a social security number.

Displaying the card, or providing the number, does not establish the person's identity.

Yes, banks, and colleges, and phone companies, and everyone else uses the last four as a confirmation, but it's a fallacy. This practice does not PREVENT identity theft; it FACILITATES identity theft.