Opening new Paypal Business account SSN Requested

[GhostDog]

Hello,

I'm interested in creating a stealth Paypal account with an LLC. However, I noticed I'm being asked to provide a social security number. I read in the forums that some members were able to ignore the request each time they signed in. Is this a viable strategy, or will Paypal eventually insist that I provide a SSN without allowing me to proceed?

[jeffweico]

Hopefully someone else will chime in, but I do it a little bit different. I create a personal stealth account, then when they request the TAX-ID number, I convert it to a business account. So far, I have not been asked for an SSN and I have created dozens of accounts.

[GhostWhoWalks]

Why don't you just call paypal up and ask them about the LLC on how to do it? Because you are registered company and don't want to put it under your SSN due to taxes and it's why you got a company TAX ID To write everything off???

Or as Jeffweico said, wait it out until others can help you out with it.

[rsot]

Read about providing EIN number

[GhostDog]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

Hopefully someone else will chime in, but I do it a little bit different. I create a personal stealth account, then when they request the TAX-ID number, I convert it to a business account. So far, I have not been asked for an SSN and I have created dozens of accounts.

This sounds interesting. I hope Paypal does not close this loophole(?).

So at the time of account creation, I would create a personal account, but at which stage do you convert it to a business account? Are you allowed to create a personal account without entering a Tax-ID, or is this something that can be delayed? Thanks so much for your help, I always appreciate the assistance of these forums.

[GhostDog]

Originally Posted by rsot

Read about providing EIN number

I did read up on this issue through the forums, and noticed that a few members had some interesting workarounds for the issue (wanting to enter EIN, but Paypal insisting on a SSN due to Patriot Act), such as going back to the Paypal home page which allows them to continue using Paypal until next login, whereupon the workaround will do the trick once again.

My concern is that this workaround has a short future, so any advice or shared experience from another member is greatly appreciated.

[yankee]

Originally Posted by GhostDog

I did read up on this issue through the forums, and noticed that a few members had some interesting workarounds for the issue (wanting to enter EIN, but Paypal insisting on a SSN due to Patriot Act), such as going back to the Paypal home page which allows them to continue using Paypal until next login, whereupon the workaround will do the trick once again.

My concern is that this workaround has a short future, so any advice or shared experience from another member is greatly appreciated.

You are missing it. An EIN is the equivalent to a SS for your business. It is impossible to use both. It is not a walkaround or a lophole. It is the way every single LLC, Corp, etc.. business in the USA operates. It is how the United States Government and the IRS handle liabilities and taxes for businesses.

[plumsake2]

Originally Posted by GhostDog

This sounds interesting. I hope Paypal does not close this loophole(?).

So at the time of account creation, I would create a personal account, but at which stage do you convert it to a business account? Are you allowed to create a personal account without entering a Tax-ID, or is this something that can be delayed? Thanks so much for your help, I always appreciate the assistance of these forums.

Yeah when upgrading to a business account you have the option of checking a box that says you'll enter an EIN number later.

If I know I want the account I'm creating to have a business Paypal, I'll create a personal one first and then the next day or so I'll upgrade to business. You probably could do it immediately after making a personal account though.

[GhostDog]

Hello,

Taking the advice of plumsake2, I have successfully converted the personal account into a business account.

However, I seem to have encountered a new obstacle, only occurring (so far) when trying to add money to my account.

Here's an image:



It is not necessary to add money to the account, but I want to make an ebay purchase to boost my feedback and would like for the payment to go through more quickly by having some cash in the Paypal balance (as opposed to eCheck's 3-5 day wait time).

I have already entered my EIN when converting the account to a business account, so now it is asking me for SSN or ITIN. Has anyone encountered this before, or had this issue pop up when using other Paypal functions?

[plumsake2]

Never had that happen to me, but then again I never actually tried to add funds to a stealth account before. Are you trying to use a Green Dot Moneypak? I believe those require you enter in a SSN.

Why not use a Vanilla Visa giftcard? You can buy one large enough to cover your purchase, add it to your account, and use that as the funding source for your purchase. You can even use it as a VCC to confirm the address if you haven't already.