Why do employers ask for a copy of your social security card and what do they do with it?

Question

What do they use it for? Do they just keep it in a file? Why?

What do they do with it, EXACTLY?

Answer 1

Taxes and your ID as their employee

Answer 2

This is now the law.

Employers are required to verify on a "best efforts basis" that the employee is legally allowed to work in the US. So if an employer is going to pay an employee "on the books", the employer is required to ask the employee to provide evidence that he/she is allowed to work in the US.

Some documents which qualify for this purpose are Social Security Card, US Passport or Alien Passport with work permit or visa. In some states a drivers license is acceptable.

They simply keep a copy of the document you supply, in your case the Social Security Card in your human resources file as proof that they did exert "best efforts". By the way, the law does not require employers to verify the authenticity of the Social Security card.

Moreover, if the employer is going to pay you he has to report your income to the IRS on a quarterly or annual basis. In order to do this, the employer needs your social security number. But this does not require that he keeps a copy of your social security card. The copy of the card is necessary solely because the immigration law requires it.

Answer 3

They need to see your ss card to complete a form called an I-9, which verifies that you are legally eligible to work in the U.S. This form must be completed at the time of hire.

Some employers make a copy of the card to keep with the I-9s, but most lawyers will tell you that keeping copies of an employee's personal identification is a really bad idea.

Answer 4

They are not supposed to keep the card. They want to see it to be sure they have the correct number for tax reasons. They should give the card back to you. Some times they do make a copy of it. That card belongs to you and not to them. If they did not give it to you then ask for it.

The number identifies you as one person. no two people should have the same number. Many have same names so the number is the identifier.

Answer 5

They use it for verification on the tax returns and tax deposits they have to make. In that way, if there's ever a problem they can pull the copy to show that the number they have on record is what you provided to them.

Employers have to file all kinds of tax forms and they have to report wages and so on by SS number.

Answer 6

It is a requirement of the government that they copy it and keep it on file. They also copy your picture id.

Answer 7

One reason is to prove you are a legal resident and eligible for employment. The next is for payroll and tax purposes

Answer 8

It is hard proof that you are a citizen of the united states. you ssn is also your tax id. by you allowing them to obtain a copy of it, you have given them permission to pay you and given the govt permission for them to tax you on that pay. it alos includes your signature, so they match the sig on the card to all official paperwork in case of disputes.

Answer 9

1. Tax Purposes
2. Homeland Security

Without one you can not work in the US.

Answer 10

I think it's for tax purposes.