SS Number on Checks

Alternatives:

The IRS asks taxpayers to writetheir Social Security numbers on thechecks they write to pay incometaxes. Some taxpayers are wonderingwhether this is a good idea, especiallywith identity theft on the rise. Assumingthat IRS employees don't divulge theinformation, you should be safe, unlessthe check is returned as undeliverableand is intercepted by an identity thiefbefore it gets to your mailbox. Pay your taxes by credit cardthrough one of the service providerslisted in the Form 1040 instructionbooklet, which will cost you an additional2.49% of your tax bill. Or youcan use the federal government's freeelectronic payment system (www.eftps.gov), which transfers money directlyfrom your personal bank account tothe US Treasury.