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Asking for EIN when signing up for individual account?
 

Sup guys

the last 2 times i have tried to make an account, I am being asked for Tax ID right when I sign up. I understand that that has been the case for pro account for a while now, but I was signing up for individual accounts. This has happened in the last week or so.

Anybody else experiencing the same thing? it would suck if you couldnt even make a seller account without Tax ID anymore.

Just open individual on Monday with no problem

Something must be getting flagged here. It is doubtful that PayPal would require an EIN for all new accounts, or even an SSN for that matter, since most accounts do way less than $20,000 in sales each year. They would be losing business for nothing.

It is Amazon Jeffweico :)

Tony, do you just start as an individual account first and then upgrade to professional? And does that allow you to have a Pro account without having to provide the tax information?

OK, I missed that. However, my thoughts are the same. In fact, I created 4 accounts in the last 2 weeks, never had them ask for that.

Once, back when I was new, I had used an IP address that did not match the geography of the stealth user I created and they wanted me to immediately add a bank account. That is the only problematic thing I have ever experienced with Amazon when using stealth.

Of course, these days I know better.

I don't have any pro account. But that is what I been reading around here

Damn, well i wonder what the problem could be then. I haven't had an account suspended for linking or anything like that. Maybe it's just a coincidence, I'm going to keep trying

Did you try listing immediately? Was there any browsing done before opening an account, or did you sign up on a fresh browser/pc?

You are not the first one I am hearing this from. A friend of mine also had a fresh PC new internet provider etc, and was asked for a SSN/EIN for signing up for a personal account.

So something must have flagged their system. Maybe we can all figure it out. I think its the signing up for account on fresh browser without any browsing history or trying to buy something.

Also, if this is only happening on SOME accounts, it could be Amazon running a test to see what percentage of new seller accounts would "opt-out" of selling if they require this information.

More likely, though, something is flagging the account.

I did not try to list immediately. I just tried to create a seller account and was prompted for tax id right away. No browsing before making the accounts. I had a new user account set up and using a dongle. My other accounts on this computer (separate user accounts, same dongle) are all going fine and no linking. Even when I had one account go down a few months ago it wasnt over linking so I dont think that is what is being flagged.

Maybe its because I'm using the same browser? I use FF Chrome or IE usually maybe I should try a different one? Or maybe just try a different internet connection...

Im sure a different ISP and browser wouldn't hurt to see if anything in particular is tripping it.
Also did you create the new user account and go straight to making it a seller account?
Try to narrow down the common factors that way we may be able to pinpoint what it is, and others can learn from it.

Yeah I tried to make a seller account right after making the new user account. I've made all my accounts like that however. Could that be a factor?

The person who had the EIN asked for immediately for a personal account did the same thing, making it a seller account right after opening the account.

Maybe they programmed the algorithm to trip if a person opens a personal account and tries to sell something without browsing etc...things change everyday, but that may seem to be the common factor. I could be wrong though, hopefully someone else will come along with more relevant information.

That is not right, All my account were list right after created. And they all sale high risk item with no problem

Not really - lot of people do this without that issue. No use of old info at all right?

Outright request for SSN????
That is not good

Any update on this ?

my ratio of making amazon accounts is 100% . First make a buyers account, browse products. next day make seller account. Force feedback on your account 5 purchases then go 600 dollars first month 2nd month if you get 10 feedbacks you can go 2000 dollar selling limit without a review . Im rolling with 30 accounts on amazon just to stay stealth from other sellers selling the same item as me

How do you "force feedback"?

Machine1.... with 30 stealth Amazon accounts, did you have to use 30 different EIN numbers ?

buying gift cards but don't use 1 gift card and put feedback on other stealth accounts .. I lost 5 account doing that . 1 gift card 1 feed back

Oh ok feedback among your own accounts - understood

Big risk of linking. amazon will spring you.

:mod:

Once 50 sales are reached, you will have to provide an SSN or EIN for each one. You can have as many EIN's as you want, but there is paperwork involved. If that is your goal, you might want to speak with a tax professional first.

There are no gotchas having many EINs in the US?

No gotcha's. Many business owners have an EIN for each business they own. Like, if someone owns 3 restaurants, each may have it's own EIN to keep everything separate. In fact, sometimes it can be a requirement depending on the circumstances. Having said that, 30 EIN's would be an unusually high number, which is one of the reasons I suggested talking with a tax professional first. That will ensure that everything is legal.

Whether you pay or don't pay taxes, or what you do with them, you still don't want to get audited by the IRS, even if you are 100% in the right. It's a hassle.

IRS system is just like banks, or Paypals system. Bots look for stuff and flag it. Then it gets manually reviewed.

I am in the U.K and i also have been asked to provide tax details as if i was living in the USA on a stealth account, obviously i said i was in the U.K. and submitted details to say that exactly as my stealth is set up. I think it is down to the VCC i purchased as it is the only thing that could link me to the USA as i don't know where it originated from. This has never happened before. I now purchase my own here in the U.K. and have no problems

Very nice breakdown jeffweico - that is quite contrary to up here.