ITIN vs. SSN on W2

[jeanmarc]

If a client comes in with an ITIN and the W2 has their name but a different number (of course) and the first five numbers of the SSN are masked... do you enter the number on the W2 in the section of the W2 Worksheet Part VII that says "Correct to match Employee Information on W2" and how do you enter it if part of the number is masked on the W2?

[Taxprohere]

Most likely use the ITIN.  Often the case when someone enters the US illegally and starts working, they present a fake SSN card to the employer. Don't know why there's no automatic rejections, if the employer is *cough, cough*, concerned.  But now client having obtained the ITIN, use that as the official taxpayer identification.

Aside from that, in cases where it is a valid SSN and you can't see the full number, do you have the chance to ask the client?