Small win...affidavit asks me for my SSN

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wolfpup

New member
I recently won a prize from a magazine with a $10 value. They mailed me an affidavit that I need to fill out and have notarized. But it asks me for my social security number, which I'm very uncomfortable giving out..especially since this only has an ARV of $10. Nowhere in the rules did it say I would have to give them my SSN. It did say I needed to fill out an affidavit and that I would be responsible for all taxes. But they didn't send me a tax form or anything. Why on earth do they need my SSN for a $10 item? I thought that was only for $600+!

Has anyone else had to do this for such a small win? What do you think I should do? If I filled out everything but my SSN would that result in forfeiture of my prize?
 
We have done this many, many times through the years for small prizes we have won.

The IRS only mandates that a sponsor report all prizes with the value of $600.00+.

However, the sponsor is within their right to request that an affidavit be filled out, social security number, etc., on smaller prizes if they so wish since the IRS requires that all prizes be reported on a person's tax return. :)
 
That happened to me on a $250 Nixon Digital Camera win. They're not required to notify IRS, but some do. :cussing:

Incidentally, IRS regulations state you're supposed to include all wins on you 1040's - most of us don't unless we get a 1099 from the sweeps sponsor.

Congrats on the win - every lil' bit helps.
 
Although it seems they are within their legal rights to do so, for such a small prize I would recommend either filling out the form without your SSN or just forfeiting the prize.
 
Thanks for the advice. I actually called them and asked about it. Is it safe if I just put the last 4 digits?
 
wolfpup said:
Thanks for the advice. I actually called them and asked about it. Is it safe if I just put the last 4 digits?
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If they require your social security number to obtain the prize, you must give them the whole number. The IRS cannot identify you from just the last four numbers.

I have been online sweeping for 13 years now and have never had a problem with giving my social security number for a prize, even the smallest of prizes.

As long as you won from a legitimate sweepstakes from a legitimate sponsor, you should have no worries giving them that information. :)
 
Well I wonder what they really need it for then, because I talked to the sponsor and they said I can just use the last 4 if I'm more comfortable with that. This is actually the first time I've ever had to give out any part of it for a sweepstakes. Glad to hear you've never had any problems with it.
 
wolfpup said:
Well I wonder what they really need it for then, because I talked to the sponsor and they said I can just use the last 4 if I'm more comfortable with that. This is actually the first time I've ever had to give out any part of it for a sweepstakes. Glad to hear you've never had any problems with it.
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If they are going to report the win to the IRS, then they will need your whole social security number.

Otherwise, giving them just the last four numbers makes absolutely no sense to me. I've only seen utilities and credit card companies do that for recordkeeping for identification purposes.
 
It could be that the sponsor doesnt intend to send out a 1099, but just wants it for thier recordkeeping for tax purposes to offset their income at the end of the year maybe? KnowwuttImean? I dont know how corporate taxes are done, just supposin. :crazytongue:
 
gregb204 said:
I would not give a real one but a false one since not big win and so many ss # out there.

good luck..
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I don't think it is a good idea to give a false social security number anywhere, especially on an affidavit!



wolfpup said:
Well I wonder what they really need it for then, because I talked to the sponsor and they said I can just use the last 4 if I'm more comfortable with that. This is actually the first time I've ever had to give out any part of it for a sweepstakes. Glad to hear you've never had any problems with it.
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wolfpup, you are lucky it is resolved by your suggestion of only providing the last four numbers of your ssn. Who knows why the sponsor asked for it...maybe they have a standard affidavit and just sent it to you, even though the ARV was only $10?
 
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