If you have worked for this employer in the past, look at...

If my wage statement has a TIN # and not an EIN#, what should I do? It will not accept TIN#. Employer has since died.

Need a EIN to file but dont have. only have TIN.

What should I do?

posted

If you have worked for this employer in the past, look at those W-2s to see if you have an EIN. Otherwise, print and mail the tax return.

A TIN is a taxpayer identification number which is your SSN on a wage statement. You won't be able to e-file a return with a W-2 without an EIN (employer identification number). Here are instructions for filing a substitute W-2 which you will have to file by mail. How do I file a 4852 substitute w-2

If you are entering a 1099-MISC - Make sure you are choosing the correct format of the ID number. On some forms, you have to specify whether the federal ID number is in an EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) format or SSN (XXX-XX-XXXX) format. It might be the format and not the actual number that is causing the problem. See image below.