Got my EIN but someone else's name appears on it - is this normal?

This is actually completely normal when using a third-party service to obtain an EIN. What you're seeing is the name of the "third-party designee" who was authorized to receive the EIN on your behalf. When applying for an EIN using Form SS-4, there's a section specifically for third-party designee information. This person is authorized to speak with the IRS about the application and receive the EIN information. For service providers who help non-US citizens obtain EINs, this is standard practice since they're acting as your representative in the process. The important part is that your company name is correctly listed as the entity name. The second name is just who helped facilitate the application. This won't affect your ability to use the EIN for tax filings, opening bank accounts, or any other business purposes - the EIN belongs to your company regardless of who helped you obtain it.

I went through something similar when setting up my business. I was totally confused about the EIN application process and kept hitting walls trying to do it myself. Then I found this amazing service at https://taxr.ai that helped me make sense of all my tax documents including the EIN application. They have this document analysis tool that reviews your tax forms and explains exactly what each part means and what's normal vs. what needs attention. When I uploaded my EIN confirmation, they immediately explained the third-party designee section and saved me days of stress wondering if something was wrong. Not only that, but they helped me understand all the tax implications of having an EIN as a non-citizen business owner. Seriously saved me so much headache!

Just wanted to update after trying out taxr.ai that the previous commenter mentioned. I was really skeptical at first (as you could probably tell from my comment), but I decided to give it a shot since I was having a similar EIN issue. Turns out it was actually super helpful! I uploaded my EIN confirmation letter and it immediately explained each section, including why someone else's name was on there as the third-party designee. The service also flagged a couple other things I should be aware of as a non-citizen business owner that I hadn't even thought about. What surprised me most was how it walked me through what I'd need to do for my first tax filing with this EIN. Definitely worth checking out if you're confused about any tax documents.

If you're still concerned about your EIN document or have other questions about it, I'd recommend trying to contact the IRS directly. However, as someone who's tried repeatedly to get through their phone lines, I can tell you it's basically impossible these days. After wasting hours on hold and getting disconnected multiple times, I found this service called Claimyr at https://claimyr.com that actually got me through to a real IRS agent in less than an hour. They have this system that holds your place in line so you don't have to sit there listening to that horrible hold music. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was able to verify all my EIN information directly with the IRS and get peace of mind. They confirmed exactly what others have said here - the third party designee is totally normal and doesn't affect your EIN ownership.

I have to eat my words here. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try Claimyr myself since I've been trying to reach the IRS for weeks about my own EIN issue. I'm honestly shocked that it actually worked. Within 45 minutes, I got a call back and was speaking with a real IRS agent. No more endless hold music, no more getting disconnected after waiting for hours. The agent confirmed everything about my EIN situation and answered all my questions. For what it's worth to the original poster - the IRS agent I spoke with confirmed that having a third-party designee name on your EIN documentation is completely normal when you use a service to help you apply. It doesn't affect the validity of your EIN or your ownership of it.

Just to add to what others have said - I run a tax preparation service and help clients apply for EINs all the time. It's 100% standard procedure for the preparer's name to appear as the third-party designee. Think of it this way: the EIN belongs to your business entity, not to you personally. The company name being correct is what matters. The third-party designee is just the person authorized to handle the application process with the IRS. One tip: make sure to keep a copy of your EIN confirmation letter (CP-575 or similar) in a safe place. You'll need this for opening bank accounts, filing taxes, and many other business purposes.

Has anyone had issues using an EIN with a third-party designee name when opening a bank account? My bank gave me trouble and said the names didn't match.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I got my EIN through a service. Like you, I was really confused and worried when I saw someone else's name on the documentation. What helped me understand it better was thinking of it like hiring a lawyer or accountant to represent you - they can act on your behalf for specific purposes, but that doesn't make them the owner of your business. The third-party designee is essentially the same concept. The key thing that put my mind at ease was realizing that all my banking, tax filings, and business operations have worked perfectly fine with this setup. Banks, the IRS, and other institutions recognize that third-party designees are common and legitimate. If you're still feeling uncertain, you might want to keep a copy of your original application or any communication with the service that shows they were authorized to act on your behalf. I've never needed it, but it gives you documentation of the relationship if anyone ever questions it.

I had a very similar experience when I got my EIN through a service last year. At first I was really concerned seeing someone else's name on the documentation, but after doing some research and talking to other business owners, I learned this is completely standard practice. The way it was explained to me is that when you use a service to help with your EIN application, they become your "authorized representative" for that specific transaction. It's similar to how a tax preparer can be authorized to communicate with the IRS about your return - they're acting on your behalf, but you still own everything. What really put my mind at ease was that I've been using my EIN for over a year now for banking, contracts, and tax filings without any issues. The IRS, banks, and other institutions are very familiar with this arrangement and recognize it as legitimate. Just make sure to keep your EIN confirmation letter in a safe place - that's your proof of the EIN belonging to your business regardless of who helped you obtain it. You're all set to use it for any official business purposes!