Under IRS regulations, employers are obligated to provide wage and tax data to the Social Security Administration using Form W-2 or its electronic equivalent. As part of this process, the employer must furnish the employee's name and their Social Security number (SSN). The employee's name and SSN must match SSA's records in order for the employee's earnings to be properly posted to their Earnings Record, which is maintained by SSA. In order to better assure that employers provide accurate name and SSN data that match SSA's records, SSA offers several methods for employers to verify the names and numbers of hired individuals. SSA offers a free and secure Internet- based service, known as the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS), where the employer can verify if the reported names and SSNs of their employees matches SSA's records. SSA also offers a service, Employee Verification Service (EVS), where employers can verify, via cartridge, diskette, paper, and telephone if the reported name and SSN of their employees matches SSA's records. Finally, through our National 800 Number SSA is introducing an automated telephone employee verification service (TNEV) that will ask callers for pertinent information in order to first authenticate them and then assist them with verifying an employee's SSN and name.
The burden estimates have changed based on (1) historical evidence, (2) the inclusion of EVS (OMB Control No. 0960-0669) under this clearance, (3) the addition of the automated telephone process (TNEV) which will increase, and (4) The inclusion of a one-time registration form for EVS.
Previously, we estimated the number of respondents for the nationwide implementation of SSNVS with no historical data to support the number of responses generated per year. Since 2005, we have collected data which shows an estimated 60 responses annually per user of the SSNVS system. While this is half the number estimated in 2005 for the national implementation, it reflects a more accurate estimate of the number of annual responses per respondent. Also, the burden data for EVS has been increased to show the current increase in annual responses per respondent from 12 to 16 per year. Finally, we are adding estimates for TNEV, which is a new system that increases the public reporting burden.
$964,000
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Elizabeth Davidson 411-965-0454 liz.davidson@ssa.gov
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.