EIN look up

[superman]

Is there a website that you can look up a ein number? I have a client that faxed a w2 to me but can not read the ein and they are not available till next week.

Thanks
Superman

[Gretel]

The only source I know of is e-services. Are you signed up for this?

[BHoffman]

Is there a website that you can look up a ein number? I have a client that faxed a w2 to me but can not read the ein and they are not available till next week.

Thanks
Superman

Is it a new client? Maybe last year's W2 copy in your file?

[taxmandan]

Is there a website that you can look up a ein number? I have a client that faxed a w2 to me but can not read the ein and they are not available till next week.

Thanks
Superman

No, theIRS will confirm that a number you give them is valid or not, but they do not let anyone just peruse a list of businesses to see EINs. An EIN should be protected as much as a SSN by a business, they can be used for improper id theft too.

[taxea]

Yes there are several online sources,...google EIN lookup

[taxmandan]

Yes there are several online sources,...google EIN lookup

I assumed he meant an official IRS website, yes there are several 'for pay' private sites that have that information in most cases. TheIRS does not provide numbers, I've tried e-services, TAO, local IRS office and PHL.

[Burke]

Do these same "for pay" services provide SSN's as well? There is no law against that sort of thing?

[taxea]

I assumed he meant an official IRS website, yes there are several 'for pay' private sites that have that information in most cases. TheIRS does not provide numbers, I've tried e-services, TAO, local IRS office and PHL.

I knew the IRS didn't that is why I didn't mention it.

Burke: No they don't supply SSN's and the SSA wants $5000. for providing the service to payroll personnel.

I can't believe the fee is so high. I also don't understand why the service is not available to preparers registered with the IRS.

I say we get our professional organizations to fight for us on this issue..

[David1980]

I can't believe the fee is so high. I also don't understand why the service is not available to preparers registered with the IRS.

I would speculate that if you could cheaply buy social security numbers with their related names and DOB, it would be the wet dream of some EIC fraud preparers. Oh, sorry, your return rejected so I just put 3 other SSN's that I had purchased in to use as nephews/nieces, so it'll go through now!