Appraiser Information - Tax ID error

[foxstarfarm]

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]

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. 

[foxstarfarm]

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]

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. 

[Opus 17]

I don't think you need a token number since I verified the problem in my copy of Turbotax.  

Updated workaround that will work with both the desktop and online versions. 

Use a fake SSN (or your own SSN) to get past the error and finish your return.  Do not e-file.  Instead, select "Print and file by mail."  After printing your tax return package, remove the copy of form 8283 with the wrong SSN and replace it with the original form 8283 that you had signed by the charity official and the appraiser.  Mail everything to the IRS address that was printed on the instruction page.  (You may want to use a mail or express service that has tracking and proof of delivery.)

(Because remember, you must always send the IRS an original form 8283 signed by the charity and the appraiser, even if you e-file. So you should have that form now or you need to print a blank form, fill it out, and get it signed by both other parties.)

If the programmers accept this as an error and agree to change it, I suspect it will be several weeks, depending on how much in a hurry you are to file. 

[foxstarfarm]

Thanks so much for verifying the issue and reporting it to the developers!

Thanks also for the possible workarounds.  I've been able to move past that page for now, and will figure out how to correct the Tax ID on our printed/signed form.  Of course would be great it they can get a fix into the software by the time we go to file. 

Thank you!!

[Opus 17]

You can download and print a blank form 8283 from the IRS web site, and circulate it to the charity and the appraiser while you work on the rest of your return.  Remember that even if the program is fixed to allow EINs in the interview, you will still have to mail an original signed form to the IRS as part of a paper return or separately after e-filing. 

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8283