I've got a small business as a sole proprietorship and use my EIN and file a Schedule C. My husband is a W-2 employee of a large corporation.
We also own three rental properties and have reported income/expenses on Schedule E since buying the properties. I've been nervous about using my SSN for sending out 1099s to contractors that we hire to work on the houses, but I also don't want to have to set up a formal partnership with my spouse and file MORE forms as a partnership just to get a new EIN for the rental properties.
Can I use my EIN from my other business (it's in an unrelated field)?
No, you shouldn't use the EIN from your sole proprietorship for your rental properties. EINs are normally linked to specific business activities. However, you can protect your Social Security number by applying for a separate EIN for your rental activities as a sole proprietor. You don’t need to form a partnership or LLC to do this. Apply online here,
@robinpgh wrote:
Can I use my EIN from my other business (it's in an unrelated field)?
Yes. Unless the EIN belongs to an LLC or something, the EIN is linked to YOU, not to any specific business.