Valve wants Social Security numbers?

[Deathlok]

We need the following information from you. Please click a link below to start the process:

U.S. taxpayer identification number or certification of non-U.S. residency

Click on [your name]'s Account at the top of the Steam browser, then Account Details. On the right, I have a box titled Tax Information, with the above text inside. It opens a new window: Information Required by IRC Section 6050W. You are supposed to state your residency status, then supply information you should only have to give an employer or your bank.

Why it is a video game company needs customer social security numbers is beyond reason. When was the last time Amazon asked for your social, or for you to verify your status as a U.S. citizen?

Seriously, why is Valve soliciting the most personal and easily exploitable information imaginable its customers have?

[Satoru]

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6088-UDXM-7214

Please refer to the FAQ. this is a taxation requirement from the IRS. Trades on the market are INCOME and therefore must be reported to the IRS.

[☼ ColdSun [ResetEra]]

Its required for TAX/IRS reasons. Theres nothing malicious about it or even uncommon. Ebay will do the same if you sell more than 20,000 USD in a year

[☼ ColdSun [ResetEra]]

The only part where people might have an argument is legally its 200items and over 20,000 typically while Valve instead has opted for a 200item OR 20,000. Still not that uncommon though.

[Deathlok]

I've never traded or sold ANYTHING on Steam. I've bought video games for myself and my kids.

Again, I have never traded or sold anything on Steam. Valve does not need my Social Security number to process a simple purchase, no more than Amazon, NewEgg, or any other online vendor.

[Spawn of Totoro]

...I see nothing about tax information in the location you have stated.

If you don't use the market, then don't worry about it. It isn't required to buy games. It is required to sell item on the Market. If you don't use the Market, then just ignore it.

Do your children use your account by any chance?

Are you using a browser or the client?

[Deathlok]

It's between the boxes Your Steam Account and Email Settings. I can't say when it first appeared. I only noticed it because I was looking for an answer to another account problem.

No one uses my account but me. The kids all have their own accounts.

I normally use the Client. I've accessed Steam through my web browser when the Client wasn't cooperating well enough. But I prefer the Client software.

[Spawn of Totoro]

I'm seeing a "Your Steam account" box with payment information and wallet funds and an E-mail box. Can't seem to find a Tax area at all.

Could you take a screen shot? Don't forget to edit out private information.

This is what I see.

http://i.imgur.com/WDfkqYB.jpg

[Matt]

Originally posted by iamwileecoyote:

No one uses my account but me. The kids all have their own accounts.

Do the kids use the Steam Market to sell stuff? My guess is they do. The 200 item limit applies to ALL accounts in the household. If they sell 200 items on their account(s) then you'll see the request for info on your account too. See last sentence below.

------

Is there a limit on the number of transactions I can participate in in the Community Market?

Currently there is no limit on the number of transactions you can participate in. However, the United States Internal Revenue Service, under Section 6050W of the Internal Revenue Code, requires us to collect certain information from you if you engage in more than 200 separate sales transactions in a calendar year. In particular, if you are a U.S. citizen or resident, you will need to provide us with your name, address and Social Security Number, and if you are not a U.S. citizen or resident, you will need to provide evidence of your non-U.S. status on an online form we provide to you. We will be providing a link to these forms and a process by which you can provide the needed information if and as you approach the 200 sales limit. We may use a third-party to collect this information. You can choose not to provide this information if you wish, but you will not be able to list any items for sale in the Community Market once you meet the 200 sales threshold, and any items listed will be removed. Note that, while we are required to collect this information from you, we are not required to share this information with the IRS under Section 6050W unless you exceed $20,000 in gross sales in the Community Market within a single calendar year. For purposes of calculating the number of sales you have made in a calendar year, all of your accounts will be treated as a single account.

[Matt]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

I'm curious though since the OP said he has never sold anything on Steam.
-----
Please forgive me if the question was directed at the OP and me myself.

I updated my post above.

[Satoru]

I wonder if the OP has some virus that is doing a javascript injection for that info?

OP when you go to 'Market Transations" how many do you see? It should show something like "Showing 1-6 of xxx"

I'd also compare the browser with the client as well.

Also given this

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/864974467575806112/

I wonder if something 'more' is going on here....

[[CG]Chaplain Bradley]

No chance in hell I'd surrender that information, OP.

[Kuro]

Originally posted by Satoru:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6088-UDXM-7214

Please refer to the FAQ. this is a taxation requirement from the IRS. Trades on the market are INCOME and therefore must be reported to the IRS.

I wonder though how that can be considered income since there is no cash flow, the money is staying on Valve's deposit with no option of withdrawing.

[Silv3r9]

Originally posted by XIV LEGIO-Legatus:

No chance in hell I'd surrender that information, OP.

THIS!

Personally, after learning about this I've been keeping track of every item I sell on the market to not even get close to the 200 limit - no amount of cards/backgrounds/emoticons or any other virtual nonsense is worth my SS#... screw that >_>

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by Fox:

I wonder though how that can be considered income since there is no cash flow, the money is staying on Valve's deposit with no option of withdrawing.

Technicaly you are supposed to report any gift you get as unearned income. Birthday present, Christmas, contests, ect.

As you are getting something in return for an item, and usualy you are getting more then what the item cost, it is taxable.

You can negate the tax with losses if you buy high and sell low (or make donations to good will), but there is a cap on how much you can claim.

So it doesn't have to be cash or even physical items as long as there is a precived money value attatched to it.

Originally posted by Silv3r9:

Personally, after learning about this I've been keeping track of every item I sell on the market to not even get close to the 200 limit - no amount of cards/backgrounds/emoticons or any other virtual nonsense is worth my SS#... screw that >_>

I agree that I will stop when I hit the max it will let me do, though if I was making more then just a few bucks here and there, I would probebly be willing to give my SSN. It just isn't worth it though on the Market selling cards to buy games.

[Deathlok]

Don't know if normal BB code works, but here goes:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/teh-roxxors/steamnotfunny_zps472a04fc.jpg

Follow the link, you come to a page whereon you verify citizenship. On the page after that, you supply your Social Security number and some other information.

As I've never sold anything on Steam, I see no reason to surrender that information. I buy games--that's it.