what is a payroll number data uses separate identification numbers compared to tax or employee information which perform different functions. A payroll system only uses the payroll number to record employee payment information manage salary computations and handle salary deductions. An employee ID helps organizations with security access and operates throughout the business for internal communications and job records. The government issues personal identification numbers in the form of tax IDs. In the USA workers use their SSN to submit tax reports and benefit from public programs while people in the United Kingdom have NIN as their national tax ID. Although certain tasks overlap between these numbers their primary purpose stays with salary management.