Employer refusing to provide EIN number for tax filing - what can I do?

This is definitely concerning. Your employer is required to provide you with a W-2 form by January 31st that contains their EIN. If you're truly a W-2 employee, there's absolutely no legitimate reason for them to withhold this information. A few things you can do: First, check your most recent paystub again - the EIN is sometimes printed in small text or in an unexpected location. Also check any hiring paperwork you might have. If you still can't find it, be direct with your employer and explain that you legally need a W-2 form with their EIN to file your taxes. You might mention that employers who fail to provide W-2s can face penalties from the IRS. If they continue refusing, this is a red flag that they might be misclassifying you or not properly reporting your wages. In that case, you should contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. They can help you file a Form 4852 (Substitute for W-2) if necessary.

I went through something very similar last year with a sketchy small business employer. After weeks of getting the runaround, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which was a huge help. They have this document analyzer that can actually look through your paystubs and other employment documents to help identify missing information. I uploaded my pay stubs and employment agreement, and their system highlighted that I was actually being paid as a 1099 contractor even though my boss had verbally told me I was a W-2 employee. They even helped me understand what forms I needed to file when an employer refuses to provide proper documentation. Honestly saved me from what could've been a disaster at tax time.

I was super skeptical about taxr.ai when I first saw it mentioned, but I was desperate after my former employer ghosted me without sending my W-2. Tried it as a last resort before contacting the IRS, and I was genuinely surprised. The system analyzed my paystubs and immediately flagged that I was being treated as a 1099 contractor even though I should have been W-2 based on my job duties and schedule. It gave me a complete breakdown of what forms I needed to file and how to properly report my income without having the employer's EIN. The step-by-step guidance was exactly what I needed - ended up filing properly and even got a refund! Wish I'd found it sooner instead of stressing for weeks.

If your employer is giving you the runaround about their EIN, that's a massive red flag. I went through this exact situation last year, and after weeks of getting nowhere with my boss, I finally tried calling the IRS directly. It was basically impossible to get through - spent hours on hold only to get disconnected. Then I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which completely changed my experience. They have this service that gets you through to an actual IRS agent without the endless hold times. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with explained exactly what to do when an employer won't provide their EIN, helped me file the substitute W-2 form (Form 4852), and even opened an investigation into my employer. Turned out they hadn't been paying their employment taxes for anyone!

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to the IRS about a similar situation with a missing EIN, so I gave it a shot anyway. The service actually works exactly as described. I got a text when they secured my spot in the queue, and then my phone rang with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent confirmed my suspicions - my "employer" wasn't registered as having any employees at all! They helped me file the substitute W-2 form and even initiated an investigation. Already received my refund, and apparently my former boss is now dealing with some serious IRS headaches. Best decision I made this tax season.

Check your last paystub from December - it usually has the total yearly wages and withholding amounts, and sometimes the EIN is there even if it's not on regular stubs. Also, if you have any health insurance or retirement plan documents from work, the EIN is often listed there.

Have you tried just googling your company name + EIN? Many businesses have their EIN listed in public records or business filings. You might get lucky and find it that way without having to confront your employer again.

This situation raises serious red flags about your employment classification and your employer's tax compliance. As others have mentioned, if you're truly a W-2 employee, your employer is legally required to provide you with a W-2 form by January 31st that includes their EIN. The fact that your employer is avoiding this question and claiming "you don't need that for your taxes" suggests they may be: 1. Misclassifying you as an independent contractor when you should be an employee 2. Not properly reporting your wages to the IRS 3. Not paying required employment taxes Here's what I'd recommend: - Document everything: Save all paystubs, work communications, and evidence of your employment relationship - Give them one final written request (email is good for creating a paper trail) asking for your W-2 by the legal deadline - If they don't comply by mid-February, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report the missing W-2 The IRS can help you file Form 4852 (Substitute for Form W-2) if necessary, and they may also investigate your employer's tax compliance. Don't let their non-compliance prevent you from filing your taxes properly - the IRS understands these situations happen and has procedures to help employees deal with uncooperative employers.

This is a really concerning situation that unfortunately happens more often than people realize with small businesses. The fact that your employer is actively avoiding providing basic tax documentation is a major red flag. I'd recommend taking a systematic approach: 1. **Document everything immediately** - Screenshot your bank deposits, save all pay stubs, and keep records of every conversation about this issue. If you have any written job offer or employment agreement, save that too. 2. **Send one final written request** - Email your employer requesting your W-2 by January 31st (the legal deadline). Be polite but firm, and mention that you need it to file your taxes on time. This creates a paper trail. 3. **Check your employment status** - Based on your description, I suspect you might actually be classified as a 1099 contractor rather than a W-2 employee. This would explain why there's no EIN on your pay stubs and why she's being evasive. 4. **Contact the IRS if needed** - If you don't receive proper documentation by mid-February, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. They can help you file Form 4852 (substitute W-2) and may investigate your employer's compliance. The bottom line is that legitimate employers don't act this way. Whether you're W-2 or 1099, you have a right to proper tax documentation. Don't let their sketchy behavior prevent you from filing your taxes correctly - that could create problems for you down the line.

This situation is definitely not normal, and your instincts are right to be concerned. As a W-2 employee, you should absolutely have access to your employer's EIN - it's required information for your tax filing. A few immediate steps I'd suggest: **First, determine your actual employment status.** If you're truly a W-2 employee, the EIN should be on your paystubs, and you should receive a W-2 by January 31st. The fact that it's missing from your paystubs and your employer is being evasive suggests you might actually be classified as a 1099 contractor, even if that wasn't made clear to you initially. **Document everything now.** Save all your paystubs, screenshot your direct deposits, and keep records of these conversations with your employer. If this turns into an IRS issue, you'll need proof of your employment and income. **Give them one final deadline.** Send a polite but firm email requesting your W-2 (if you're an employee) or 1099 (if you're a contractor) by the legal deadline of January 31st. This creates a paper trail. **Know your backup options.** If they don't provide proper documentation, the IRS can help you file Form 4852 (substitute W-2) or guide you through filing as a contractor. Don't let their non-compliance prevent you from filing your taxes properly. The bottom line is that legitimate employers don't behave this way. Whether there's intentional tax evasion or just poor record-keeping, you need to protect yourself and ensure you're filing correctly with the IRS.

This is a concerning situation that unfortunately indicates your employer may not be handling payroll taxes properly. The EIN (Employer Identification Number) should definitely be visible on your paystubs if you're a legitimate W-2 employee - there's no valid reason to hide this information. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: **Check your actual employment classification.** The fact that there's no EIN on your paystubs and your employer is being evasive suggests you might actually be classified as a 1099 independent contractor rather than a W-2 employee, even if this wasn't clearly communicated to you when you were hired. **Gather all documentation now.** Save every paystub, screenshot your direct deposits, and keep records of all conversations about this issue. If you need to involve the IRS later, having this documentation will be crucial. **Send one final written request.** Email your employer requesting your proper tax forms (W-2 if you're an employee, 1099-NEC if you're a contractor) by the January 31st deadline. Be professional but clear that you need this to file your taxes legally. **Know your options if they don't comply.** The IRS has procedures for situations like this. You can file Form 4852 (Substitute for Form W-2) if you're supposed to be getting a W-2, or they can help guide you through proper filing as a contractor. Don't let their unprofessional behavior prevent you from filing your taxes correctly. The IRS deals with uncooperative employers regularly and has systems in place to help employees in your situation.