The Social Security Administration has supplied the wrong tax information to about 2.7 million Americans and is spending about $1 million to correct the problem, an agency official said this week.

The incorrect data was contained on some 1099-SSA forms sent out earlier this month, said Mark Lassiter, spokesman for the agency in Baltimore.

The 1099s are sent to all persons who receive Social Security benefits, reporting how much they received during the year. That information is needed to fill out income tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service receives copies of the 1099s, which are matched to returns by computer.

Corrected forms will be sent to all affected Social Security recipients and to the IRS by the end of the month, Lassiter said. Because corrected information is on the way, he said the Social Security Administration decided not to tell the public about the mistake until asked about it by a reporter.

The bad forms over-reported the amount of benefits received by some Social Security beneficiaries who purchase Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans under Social Security parts C and D, Lassiter said. The incorrect information is in Box 3 of the form, “Benefits Paid.”

KETCHUM, Idaho

Officials hope to lure hotels

Five commercial properties for sale on this central Idaho resort town’s Main Street could alter the character of the city if they sell and possibly create space for hotels, city officials said.

“Hotels are something we want,” said Lisa Horowitz, community and economic development director. “We want the vibrancy on the street at night. People walking around and spending money. We think it will be a healthy part of our tourism economy.”

While that could help spur economic growth, officials also want to keep the mountain town’s distinctive feel, a combination of cowboy Western and ski town glitz that could be diminished with big-box buildings.

“We need to save parts of town that capture the heritage and character of Ketchum,” said Paul Kenny, a Colliers International real estate agent. “But we have to allow change to take place.”

HELENA

Teamsters refund objector’s fees

A Kalispell logging trucker has received a refund of just over $300 from a Teamsters local in Butte, after he filed a complaint over the dues he was being charged, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation says.

Michael Weller, an employee of Hanson Trucking and Resin Haulers Inc. of Columbia Falls, is not a member of the Teamsters and elected to pay reduced dues that cover collective bargaining costs, but not other costs such as union political activities.

Mark Brandt, secretary-treasurer for Teamsters Local 2, wrote to Weller saying the election would reduce Weller’s monthly dues by 69 cents, to $38.31, and told him if he didn’t pay a $150 objector fee, the union would request his termination.

Weller said he paid the charges out of fear of losing his job, and sought financial disclosure documents from the union to determine if he was paying the correct amount.