Help! Where can I locate my TIN (taxpayer identification number)? Is it the same as SSN?

Thanks for explaining! Quick question - I'm a sole proprietor with an EIN for my business. Should I be using my EIN or my personal SSN when forms ask for a TIN? Sometimes I get confused about when to use which number.

For a sole proprietor, it actually depends on the specific situation. If the form is related to your business activities or payments made to your business, you should use your EIN. This helps keep your business and personal finances separate for tax purposes. If the form is for your personal finances unrelated to your business, then you would use your SSN. When in doubt, you can always ask the entity requesting the form which they prefer - many forms like the W-9 actually have checkboxes to indicate whether you're using an SSN or EIN.

Does this service actually work with all types of tax forms? I've got a bunch of complicated stuff from being both self-employed and having W-2 income, plus some foreign investments. Would it help with figuring out which numbers go where?

I'm a bit concerned about privacy. Is it secure to upload tax documents to this site? That's pretty sensitive information with all my personal details and financial stuff.

It does work with virtually all tax forms - I uploaded W-2s, 1099s, and even some investment forms. It recognized everything and highlighted exactly where my TIN appeared on each. It's especially helpful for complicated situations like yours with mixed income types. Regarding security concerns, I had the same worry initially! They use bank-level encryption and don't store your actual documents after analysis. You can also black out sensitive parts of your documents before uploading if you're extra cautious. I researched them pretty thoroughly before using the service and felt comfortable with their security protocols.

How does this actually work? Do they just keep calling until they get through? Seems weird that a third-party service can get through faster than I can on my own.

Sounds like a scam to me. The IRS wouldn't allow some random company to "jump the line" ahead of regular callers. They probably just keep you on hold the same amount of time and charge you for the privilege.

They don't actually get priority access - they use automated technology to handle the calling and waiting process for you. Their system navigates through all the phone prompts and waits on hold, then when a human IRS agent finally picks up, that's when they call and connect you. It's the same wait time, but you don't have to personally sit there listening to hold music for hours. They don't jump any lines or get special treatment - they're just handling the tedious waiting process so you can go about your day until an agent is available. The service is especially useful during tax season when hold times can be 2+ hours.

Do you know if you can apply for an ITIN online? Or do you have to mail in the physical form? I'm helping my cousin who just moved here and needs to get one.

Unfortunately, you cannot apply for an ITIN completely online. The IRS requires you to either mail in a physical Form W-7 along with original documents (like a passport) or certified copies, or visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or authorized Acceptance Agent in person. For your cousin, the easiest option might be to find an authorized Acceptance Agent - they can verify the original documents in person so your cousin doesn't have to mail in her actual passport. Many accounting firms and some tax preparation services are authorized agents. The IRS website has a tool to find agents near you.

I made the mistake of using my SSN on all my W-9 forms when I first started freelancing and later learned that it's actually better to get an EIN even as a sole proprietor. Keeps your SSN a bit more private since not as many people see it.