Accidentally received two EINs for my C Corp - how to fix this?

This happens more often than you'd think! When you receive duplicate EINs, you need to contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. Explain that you received two EINs and want to close one of them. They'll help you through the process of "closing" the incorrect EIN. It's not technically a closure but rather they'll mark one as "inactive" since EINs are never actually deleted from the IRS system. Make sure to tell them which one you want to keep (the first one with the correct spelling sounds like your best bet). For your tax concerns, you'll only need to file under the EIN you're keeping as long as you haven't used the incorrect one for any business purposes like opening bank accounts, filing employment taxes, etc. If you have used both, the IRS can help sort out how to consolidate everything under one number.

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I wanted to follow up about my experience with https://taxr.ai since I was initially skeptical. After my concerns about the service, I decided to give it a try since my EIN situation was getting nowhere with direct IRS calls. I'm actually really impressed! I uploaded both EIN letters and within minutes got a detailed analysis explaining that my duplicate EIN was likely caused by a system glitch in the IRS's automated processing. The service outlined exactly what to say to the IRS, which forms would be needed, and even provided a reference to the specific IRS internal procedure for handling duplicate EINs. When I finally got through to the IRS, the representative was surprised I knew exactly what to ask for. The issue was resolved in a single call rather than the multiple attempts I had been making before. Definitely worth it for specialized tax document issues like this!

If you're still struggling to reach the IRS on their Business & Specialty line, I'd recommend trying Claimyr.com. The IRS wait times for business issues are absolutely ridiculous right now - I was trying for WEEKS to get through about my own EIN issue. With https://claimyr.com they basically wait on hold with the IRS for you and then call you when an actual agent is on the line. I was skeptical but you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c When I finally got connected to a real IRS agent, they were able to resolve my duplicate EIN situation in about 10 minutes. The issue had been dragging on for months simply because I couldn't get through to anyone!

Ok I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway because I was at my wit's end trying to reach the IRS about a business tax issue. I couldn't believe how well it worked. I got a call back within 45 minutes saying they had an IRS agent on the line. I verified my identity directly with the agent and got my issue resolved in one conversation. The best part was not having to sit by my phone for hours on hold, afraid to even use the bathroom in case they picked up. For anyone dealing with duplicate EINs or other IRS business issues that require actually speaking to someone, this service is a game-changer. I spent 6 HOURS on hold last month with nothing to show for it. With Claimyr, I had my answer in under an hour of total time.

Just want to add that when you talk to the IRS about this issue, ask them to send you a confirmation letter showing that one EIN has been made inactive. I had a similar situation and didn't get written confirmation. Caused problems later when filing because the system showed both EINs as active for my business. Document everything!

Has anyone actually tried calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line lately? I spent 3 days trying last week and kept getting "due to high call volume" messages telling me to call back later. Is there a better time of day to try? Early morning? Late afternoon?

I went through this exact same situation last year! The duplicate EIN issue is more common than you'd think, especially with the IRS processing backlogs. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, but be prepared for long wait times. When you get through, have both EIN letters ready and explain that you received duplicates. They'll ask which one you want to keep active - go with the first one since it has the correct business name spelling. The IRS will mark the second EIN as "inactive" in their system. This isn't technically a cancellation since EINs are permanent, but it prevents any confusion going forward. Make sure to ask for written confirmation of this action - you'll want it for your records. For taxes, you'll only file under the EIN you're keeping active, assuming you haven't used the incorrect one for any business activities like payroll, banking, or vendor payments. If you have used both, mention this to the IRS agent so they can help you consolidate everything properly. One tip: if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try calling right when they open at 7 AM Eastern time on Tuesday or Wednesday. Those tend to be the best days with shorter wait times. Good luck! It's stressful but definitely fixable.