To send Form W-4V to Social Security, deliver the completed and signed form to your local Social Security Administration office by mail, fax, or in person, or request withholding electronically through your my Social Security account and skip the paper form altogether. The form goes to SSA, not the IRS. Mailing it to the IRS will not start withholding from your benefits.1Social Security Administration. Social Security Forms
Three Ways to Submit the Form
Online Through My Social Security
The fastest route is signing in to your my Social Security account and requesting withholding electronically. You can start, stop, or change your rate without filling out a paper form at all.2Social Security Administration. Request to Withhold Taxes If you do not already have an account, create one at ssa.gov using Login.gov or ID.me verification.
Mail or Fax to Your Local SSA Office
If you prefer paper, send the signed form to your local Social Security office. Find the correct address by entering your zip code into the office locator at ssa.gov/locator. Local offices also accept the form by fax.1Social Security Administration. Social Security Forms If you are mailing it, consider a method that gives you delivery confirmation.
In Person
You can also drop the form off at your local office. Same locator, same address.
Before You Send It
Download Form W-4V from the IRS website, or call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to request a paper copy.3Internal Revenue Service. About Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request Make sure you have completed:
- Your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security records
- Your current mailing address
- Your Social Security number
- A claim number, but only if your benefits are paid under someone else’s record, such as a spouse or parent
- Line 6, with one box checked for the withholding rate you want: 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%. Only these four percentages are allowed; custom amounts are not available4IRS. Form W-4V Voluntary Withholding Request
- Your signature and the date at the bottom
An unsigned form will be returned, which delays your withholding. Keep a photocopy of the signed form for your records regardless of how you send it.
How Long It Takes to Take Effect
After SSA receives your request, staff enter the withholding information into the payment system. Allow one to two payment cycles, roughly 30 to 60 days, for the change to show up in your deposit or check. The first payment after you submit the form may not reflect the withholding if the request is still being processed.
You can confirm withholding is active by logging in to your my Social Security account, which shows your gross benefit and any deductions. If nothing has changed after two months, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the form was received. At year’s end, SSA sends Form SSA-1099 showing your total benefits and total federal tax withheld, which you will use when filing your return.5Internal Revenue Service. Social Security Income
Changing or Stopping Withholding Later
To switch to a different rate, submit a new Form W-4V with the new percentage checked on line 6 and send it to SSA the same way. The new form replaces the old rate once processed.4IRS. Form W-4V Voluntary Withholding Request
To stop withholding entirely, complete lines 1 through 4 on a new Form W-4V, check the box on line 7, sign and date it, and submit it to SSA.4IRS. Form W-4V Voluntary Withholding Request Either change can also be made online through your my Social Security account or by calling SSA.2Social Security Administration. Request to Withhold Taxes
If You Receive SSI Instead
Form W-4V does not apply to Supplemental Security Income. SSI payments are not taxable, so voluntary withholding is not available, and SSA will not issue a tax form if SSI is your only payment.6Social Security Administration. Get Tax Form (1099/1042S) The form covers benefits paid under Title II of the Social Security Act: retirement, survivors, and disability insurance.