IRS no longer can find my business EIN

[uncledutchie3]

Forgive me... this is a rather lengthy description of my situation:

I've had my small business for well over 20 years. I've had my EIN for at least that long, however I cannot find the form I received from the IRS designating my EIN. I have several 1099 workers. Every year, I send 1099's to these individuals and file a form 1096 -Annual Summary and Transmittal of US Information Returns. This summarizes the number of 1099's and the total amount reported as non-employee compensation... you fill out all of the identifying information: Business name, your name, EIN, your SS#.  This form is filed by January 31 of the next year. I have filed for 1096 every year... the oldest form I have a copy of is from 2008. Back then, when you ordered forms from the IRS, they would send PRE-PRINTED form 1096 with a label stating EIN, Business name and address. 

Move forward to 2024. I recently had a customer ask for a W-9. I provided the form with my business name and the EIN I have ALWAYS used. They notified me that they could not verify my business name or EIN with the IRS. So, I contacted the IRS. They CANNOT FIND MY BUSINESS NAME OR EIN in their system. Apparently I don't exist.

I went and met with an agent and took copies of all the forms I had to verify that I indeed had that EIN and Business name. This included copies of 1096's filed/reported, 1099's that were included in annual summary transmittal... as well as 1099's my clients have sent to my business. He searched and searched and searched. Could not find ANY info with my business name of EIN or any link to my SS#. All he could do is give me a phone number for "businesses" and EIN's. I can't through... always "EXTREMELY HIGH VOLUME" please try back on next business day.

Why hasn't the IRS ever notified me that the 1096's I've sent in every year were invalid? I'm just at a loss... 

Suggestions?

[Mike9241]

seems impossible since you should have been getting notices for invalid EIN for years.

suggest these options

1)  calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. The hours of operation are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. An assistor will ask you for identifying information and provide the number to you over the telephone, as long as you are a person who is authorized to receive it. Examples of an authorized person include, but are not limited to, a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, a corporate officer, a trustee of a trust, or an executor of an estate.

2) apply for a new EIN. 

3) look at tax returns besides the 1096/1099s to see if the EIN is the same on all forms 

... reviewing iRS transcripts may be of no avail since they usually only show the last 4 digits.

[uncledutchie3]

Its the IRS... nothing is IMPOSSIBLE.

I have not received a single notice of invalid EIN. As stated, I file 1096 annually. I receive 1099 NEC's from my customers annually. Report all income on Sch. C and write off all NEC labor as an expense on Sch. C.

You would think they would send something to me right? I have to include my SS# along with my EIN on form 1096 when I file.

I will add, my business is a single owner LLC, therefore I file as a Sole Proprietorship. I don't recall having to enter my EIN on Sch. C anywhere... due to being a single owner LLC. 

On hold now with the "Business EIN" division [phone number removed].

I just don't understand how they could LOSE my EIN after consistent compliance for so many years... without some sort of notification by mail. 

[uncledutchie3]

Additionally, with the impending reporting requirements of the BOIR... I need to have my EIN recognized. What a cluster "you-know-what"

[uncledutchie3]

After sitting on hold for 70 minutes, finally got a human. Explained everything to the agent ... no resolution. Her best "suggestion" was to apply for a new EIN (which I have done) and send a letter explaining my situation with copies of each years forms that I have to their "Entity Department."

Now just watch... they'll get it figured out and I'll have two EIN's... 

I need a drink.