Fed id number for household employer on W-2s

[Penelope]

I've gotten feedback about a "bad federal id number" on the W-2s from employees of my elderly client. It is my understanding that the W-2s are prepared with the employer's social security number in box b, where the EIN goes. But the tax preparer for one of them says that the employer's social security is kicking out as invalid. I believe the W-2 has the correct social security number on it, but my software won't accept an id number in social security format, so I had to enter it in this format: xx-xxxxxxx.

All of the required state filings and payments have been made, and Sch H will be completed on the employer's 1040, to report federal withholding and employer 941 and 940 taxes.

Thanks for your help.

[JohnH]

You have to use a Federal ID number to file employment tax returns. (941, 940, W-2, etc)
This is true even if you use Schedule H rather than 941 for the payroll tax reporting.
Social Security number isn't acceptable.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p926/ar02.html#d0e992