Appraiser Information - Tax ID error

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
February 11, 2026
8 replies
112 views

Hi, I'm trying to enter the information for a non-cash donation to a charity. We had the object appraised, so I have the name and tax ID of the appraiser, and am having trouble entering the tax ID. I'm using TurboTax 2025 Premier - Desktop version 025.000.0245 for Windows. As I go through the flow with the questions about valuation, on the "Appraisal information" page, it asks for the Date of Appraisal, the Appraiser title, and then the "Appraiser ID number (SSN, Tax ID, etc.)", followed by the address fields. I can enter all the info fine except the Appraiser ID number. I've confirmed I have the correct number, and it's in the format ##-#######. But every time I enter the number in the field, it tries to force the format to: ###-##-####, which looks to me like a personal SSN format, not a business Tax ID (EIN?). It turns the box red, and gives me the error message: "Invalid social security number", and does not allow me to continue.

I'm wondering if this might be an issue with that page in the software, causing it to limit the entry to SSNs, and not accepting a Tax ID / EIN type number??

Has anyone else run into this? Is there a way to contact TurboTax to ask about it or report the issue with the page? Or am I possibly missing some other issue?

Thanks!

Opus 17

Level 15

I can verify that the field defaults to SSN style numbering. But I just made up a number and it accepted it. Do you have all 9 digits? Both style of tax number are 9 digits, just with the breaks in different places. Type in the digits only, no dashes. Let the program fill in the dashes. If you are using the full 9 digits and the software breaks it up in the wrong way, you can ignore that unless it really is blocking you from filing. If you can't enter the number, post a followup here and I will report it and see if I can get the moderators to take notice.

I can also confirm that the 2024 programmer put the numbers in SSN format, and I don't recall any complaints about bugs last year, so the SSN format must normally go through ok.

It may help if you will go to the help menu and select "Send file to agent". This uploads an anonymous version of your file to the tech support database and gives you a token (code) number. Post the token number in your followup so that the moderators can find the file you are having trouble with.

Since you need to mail a signed original copy of form 8283 to the IRS even if you e-file, there might be a workaround if this can't be fixed by the programmers.

foxstarfarmAuthor

Level 2

Hi, thanks for your quick reply.

The number I'm trying to enter is the Tax ID for a business: Nine Four dash 2261335 (I'm entering all digits, of course).

It is 9 digits, so I hoped that the auto-formatting wouldn't matter, but every time I try to enter it, the page turns that box red and says "Invalid social security number".

I'll try again tomorrow, and see if I can upload the file and generate a tech support token number. Thanks for that tip!!

Opus 17

Level 15

Ok, I can verify the problem with that number. I will try and get some help. If you need to file in a hurry there may be a workaround by using a fake SSN in Turbotax and then using the correct tax ID number on the paper form that you need to mail to the IRS with the appraiser's signature.