CLTA News Express
An Express Article from the California Land Title Association
Partial Masking of Social Security Numbers on Recordable Lien Documents
Bulletin 06/07-96 - February 12, 2007
To ensure taxpayer privacy and information security, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has begun to mask the first 5-digits of the taxpayer’s social security number (SSN) on recordable lien documents effective February 9, 2007.
The FTB is working to make the necessary computer system changes and expects these changes to be completed by July 2007. Until that time, the documents will be manually redacted with a black permanent ink marker. The SSN often appears in the SSN field and the taxpayer account field. Both fields will be redacted.
During a meeting with the CLTA’s Forms and Practices Committee in September, 2005, the FTB agreed to work with the association to develop a process to minimize the impacts to the title industry. The FTB is considering a joint meeting to develop a focus group in the near future to discuss the impacts and mitigating options.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please contact the Franchise Tax Board’s Lien Resolution Unit at (916) 845-7086.
