Can I mask Social Security numbers on 1099s?

I do not think so. If you could where would be the proof that it was for the right Jane Doe

You are allowed to mask the social for the employees copy. However, the guy social security number had to be on the one you send to the IRS so they know who you are talking about and can correctly match the person in their records. 

If the payer is a sole proprietorship and they use their social security number instead of an EIN, they most show their full social and are not allowed to mask any of the copies. 

If you have to send a copy to your specific state, you need to check with them about their rules. However, I'm assuming it would be the same as the IRS as they would need the full social to find and correctly match the person.

How do I mask or truncate a SSN for a vendor's 1099 in Quickbooks Pro 2018 desktop?

Hi there, @ehedemann.

Thanks for joining the Community today. I'd be pleased to provide you with some details regarding truncating an SSN for vendor's 1099 in QuickBooks Desktop.

An SSN is required when you file the 1099 forms of your contractors. QuickBooks is designed to detect missing information such as the SSN to make sure you comply with the requisite details of the tax agencies. Therefore, truncating an SSN for vendor's 1099 isn't possible. 

To learn more about how 1099 works in QuickBooks Desktop, feel free to check out these articles: 

• QuickBooks 1099 Wizard
• Set up a 1099 vendor and print forms 
• 1099 E-File Service FAQs
• Print 1099-Misc forms in QuickBooks Desktop.
• 1099 E-File: QuickBooks Desktop setup, troubleshooting, & FAQs.

However, I'd encourage you to check out regularly the What's new option on your QuickBooks to know the latest news and updates from QuickBooks including product improvements, company news. 

To do that:

1. Click on the Help menu at the top menu bar.
2. Select on New Features.
3. Click on What's New.

These information should get you moving today.

Please know that I'm just a reply away if there's anything else you need with QuickBooks. I'll be available to help you out. Take Care. 

The 1099-MISC instructions say that the SSN can be truncated on copies sent to the payee - QuickBooks should give us this option to truncate when we are ready to print that part.  I had to white out, print, scan, edit/add text, print, then copy the back on to the plain paper 1099-MISC and then cut. 

Hello, @3DogMom.

At this time, you can prepare a pre-printed form or download the form from the IRS and manually add or type in the information into it with the truncated Social Security Number (SSN). Just ensure that the details are correct in each box.

I understand the importance of truncating the number in QuickBooks Desktop, I'll take note of this and pass along the suggestion to our product engineers. This way, they'll be able to know and work on with this in the future updates.

You may check these articles for more details about truncating Tax Identification Number (TIN) or SSN:

• Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC (2020)
• Internal Revenue Bulletin: 2014-31
• General Instructions for Certain Information Returns

You can always add a comment below if you have any other questions as I'm always here to help. Have a great day!

As a sole-proprietor sending 1099's to contractors I feel extremely uncomfortable sending these forms with MY SSN on them.   Quickbooks when creating 1099's via QBO e-file service I was never presented with an option to file 1099's with EIN.  It was only when I was downloading and reviewing the forms did I realize that now I am sharing my SSN with Subcontractors.   How does Intuit's team not see the need to protect one's identity?     The IRS published instructions clearly state under section J the following: 

"Sole proprietors. You must show the individual's name on the first name line; on the second name line, you may enter the “doing business as (DBA)” name. You may not enter only the DBA name. For the TIN, enter either the individual's SSN or the EIN of the business (sole proprietorship). The IRS prefers that you enter the SSN"

QBO 1099 filing should CLEARLY state to the person filing that their SSN will be used ! 

As a sole-proprietor sending 1099's to contractors I feel extremely uncomfortable sending these forms with MY SSN on them.   Quickbooks when creating 1099's via QBO e-file service I was never presented with an option to file 1099's with EIN.  It was only when I was downloading and reviewing the forms did I realize that now I am sharing my SSN with Subcontractors.   How does Intuit's team not see the need to protect one's identity?     The IRS published instructions clearly state under section J the following: 

"Sole proprietors. You must show the individual's name on the first name line; on the second name line, you may enter the “doing business as (DBA)” name. You may not enter only the DBA name. For the TIN, enter either the individual's SSN or the EIN of the business (sole proprietorship). The IRS prefers that you enter the SSN"

QBO 1099 filing should CLEARLY state to the person filing that their SSN will be used !