March 5, 2015

SECURITY IS OUR MIDDLE NAME

Clayton-Powell,-LindaBy Linda Clayton-Powell
Social Security District Manager
Davenport, Iowa

On March 6, Americans recognize Middle Name Pride Day.

At the Social Security Administration, our middle name is “Security,” and every day, we do everything we can to live up to that name.  As part of protecting our vital services, we safeguard against all forms of Social Security fraud.

Social Security has zero-tolerance for fraud and those who try to cheat the system. While we cannot prevent all fraud schemes any more than the best police force can stop all crime, we work aggressively with our Office of the Inspector General to investigate and prosecute people who commit fraud.

Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin’s message to those who would defraud Social Security is clear: “We will find you; we will prosecute you; we will seek the maximum punishment allowable under the law; and we will fight to restore to the American public the money you have stolen.”

We provide benefits to one-fifth of the American population, including elderly retirees, people with severe illnesses, and widows and children after the death of a wage earner.  Our beneficiaries also include wounded warriors and the chronically ill, all of whom tend to be the most vulnerable of our population.  Protecting our critically important programs from fraud can be challenging.  Yet, our standard is absolute—any fraud is unacceptable. In addition, our focus on preventing fraud works.

Our Office of the Inspector General works in concert with our frontline employees to identify fraud and bring offenders to justice.  Together, we use a number of tools to help us accurately predict where fraud may occur.  By monitoring cases closely, we identify fraud sooner rather than later—and often we prevent it before it happens. We also have stiff penalties that discourage people from committing fraud, including hefty fines, suspension of benefits, and even jail time for the most severe offenses.

We take our middle name seriously and so should you.

If you suspect someone is committing Social Security fraud, we ask that you report it online at http://oig.ssa.gov/report or call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 immediately.

BATTING A THOUSAND DURING TAX SEASON

Spring training for major league baseball teams begins in March. As you prepare to meet the April 15 deadline to file your taxes, here are some Social Security tax tips to help you knock the ball out of the park!  Batter up!

FIRST BASE
If you changed your name due to marriage or divorce, or made another legal name change, make sure you change your name on your Social Security records and with your employer.  Changing your name on all of your records will avoid a “mismatch” with our records (which could delay your tax return) and improper recording of your earnings.  To learn more about your Social Security number and changing your name, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

SECOND BASE
You will need Social Security numbers for your children if you want to claim them as dependents on your tax return.  In most cases, parents request a Social Security number for their newborn child at the hospital when applying for a birth certificate.  If you did not apply for a number for your child then, you can apply at your local Social Security office or by mail. Claiming your dependents will maximize your tax refund or minimize any amount you owe.  To learn more, read our online publication, Social Security Numbers For Children, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

THIRD BASE (Bases loaded)
If you receive Social Security benefits, you need to pay federal taxes on some of your benefits if your total income, including Social Security and all of your other taxable income, is $25,000 or more, and you file federal taxes as an
individual.  Married couples filing joint returns need to pay federal taxes on income of $32,000 or more.  To learn more about taxes and your Social Security benefits, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/taxes.htm.

CLEANUP HITTER:
Now that you are working hard and earning Social Security credits, you can check your Social Security Statement online.  Doing so will ensure that you have all your bases
covered for the years you have worked.  You can open
or access your personal my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

A GRAND SLAM:
If you own a small business, Social Security has a free electronic filing option that allows you to prepare and submit W-2s for your employees at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer.   Registering online gives you freedom from paper forms and it is free, fast, and secure.
Follow these tips, and cover all your bases.  To learn more about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

Filed Under: Finance

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