SSA form W-4V to withhold taxes from Social Security - Need help with filing securely

You need Form W-4V (Voluntary Withholding Request), and you can download it directly from the IRS website at irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4v. The SSA doesn't provide pre-filled forms with their information. For the form, you'll need: - SSA address: Your local office address (find at ssa.gov/locator) - SSA's EIN (Tax ID): 52-0216065 You have four withholding options: 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly benefit. The form is very straightforward.

i did this last year when i started gettin my ss checks. u can just mail the form once u fill it out or drop it off at local office. took like maybe 4 weeks or so before they started taking taxes out. not sure why ur worried about security, its just a tax form lol

I had the EXACT same concerns about security when I did this! When I took my W-4V to the local office (back when they were actually OPEN before COVID), they just took my form and said they'd process it. They DID NOT enter anything into their system while I was sitting there. Said they'd "send it to processing" whatever that means!!! Took almost 2 MONTHS before withholding started, and I never got any confirmation it was received or processed. VERY frustrating!!!

I just went through this process and I'm happy to share my experience. The W-4V form is available on both websites, but I found it easier to use the IRS site because it was more up-to-date. Regarding your security concerns - I completely understand! I was worried too. I ended up making an appointment at my local office, but they didn't enter the information while I was there. They just accepted the form and gave me a receipt. Everything went fine though - the withholding started on my check about 6 weeks later. One tip: make a copy of your completed form before submitting it, and get some kind of receipt or confirmation when you drop it off. That way you have documentation if there's an issue.

Have you tried calling the SSA to ask these questions? They can give you the most accurate information about their current processes. Oh wait...I forgot how impossible it is to reach anyone at SSA these days. The last time I needed to speak with someone, I spent HOURS on hold only to get disconnected. Multiple times! I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration - I was able to ask all my questions directly to an SSA rep.

I work for an accounting firm and help clients with this all the time. The W-4V is actually pretty straightforward but ONE IMPORTANT TIP: make sure you check the box for "Social Security benefits" specifically, not SSI or any other option. People mess this up all the time! Also, realize that the minimum withholding is 7% of your benefit. If that's too much, you might be better off making quarterly estimated tax payments instead.

My sister faxed her W-4V form and never heard anything back. Six months later she was still getting her full SS check with no withholding! When she called they had no record of her form! Now she has a huge tax bill. I recommend taking it in person AND following up by phone after a month if you don't see the withholding start.

To follow up on your security concerns: SSA has secure internal procedures for handling forms with personal information, but they won't process forms in front of you. They use their Modernized Claims System (MCS) to input withholding requests, but this happens in their back office processing centers. One option for more security: you can complete the W-4V online through your my Social Security account in some cases, avoiding paper forms entirely. Have you checked if that's available to you?