Social Security Numbers

Notice
To All Workers and Employees
Regarding the Possession and Use of
Social Security Numbers
There is no law requiring a person to have, obtain or use a Social Security Number to live
or work in the United States. Social Security is a voluntary system and there is no legal
requirement that an individual obtain or use a Social Security Number.
The Social Security Act requires the Social Security Administration to establish and maintain records of wages
and self-employment income for each individual whose work is covered under the program; a Social Security
Number is needed for that purpose. No social security benefits will be paid to you unless you obtain and use a
Social Security Number.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposes no penalty on an employer if the failure to show a Social Security
Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for an employee was due to reasonable cause and not
to willful neglect. See 26 USC §6109(a)(3), §6721(a)(2)(B), §6721(c)(1)(B), and §6724(a). The IRS requires an
employer request (IRC §6109(a)(3)) the employee to provide the employer with either an SSN or TIN. However,
the employee may refuse to provide an SSN or TIN. An employer is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act from dismissing any employee for refusing to provide an SSN or TIN because of their religious belief or
creed.
Section 7 of Public Law 93-579 provides that:
(a)(1) It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local government agency to deny to any individual any
right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual's refusal to disclose his social security
account number.
If you do not wish your employer to use your Social Security Number, you should tell them in writing, that you
elect to withdraw the use of your Social Security Number and request your employer to enter the phrase
“Employee Refused to Provide” in the space provided for a Social Security Number if and when your employer
reports your wages and taxes.
18 USC Sec. 242 and 42 USC Sec. 1983 provides that:
“Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in
any State, Territory, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected
by the Constitution or laws of the United States, ... shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than
one year, or both;” 42 USC Sec. 1983 further provides that a violator “shall be liable to the party injured in
an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.”
42 USC Sec. 408 provides that:
“Whoever ... (8) discloses, uses, or compels the disclosure of the social security number of any person in
violation of the laws of the United States; shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined
under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.”
This notice must be posted in a conspicuous place where it can be read by all employees and workers