I am having trouble because the payer did not provide an ID number in Box 17 that TT recognizes as valid. I am hoping to get a valid number from them, but I am wondering if it is even needed based on a response for filing here: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4335332-check-this-entry-form-1099-misc-worksheet-box-17-state-id-number-line-1-is-invalid-for-utah-the-entry-should-contain-11-numbers-followed-by-the-letters-wth
No, those boxes do not need to be filled in for 1099-MISC. Just be sure that all of boxes 16, 17, and 18 are blank (not zeroes).