Vern Buchanan Wants Social Security Numbers Off Tax Forms

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced a bill on Monday to allow Americans to use numbers issued by employers instead of Social Security numbers when they file their taxes. 

Buchanan, who sites on the Ways and Means Committee, said his “Taxpayer Identity Protection Act” would help protect Americans’ data. 

“This bipartisan, common-sense measure will protect Americans from identity fraud by limiting the use of Social Security Numbers on the most popular tax forms, including the W-2,” said Buchanan. “We must be doing all we can to end this growing problem, which hits seniors especially hard.”

Buchanan noted a recent U.S. Department of Justice report which showed more than 17.5 Americans--including 2.6 million senior citizens--were victims of identity theft last year with Florida leading the nation on this front.  

Earlier this year, Buchanan spearheaded a bill to pass veterans’ ID cards which did not contains Social Security numbers on them.