How do I locate an EIN for a local daycare business that closed down?

You have a few options to locate that EIN! First, check your past receipts or any paperwork from the daycare - sometimes the EIN is printed on invoices, contracts, or welcome packets. If you paid by check, the daycare might have stamped their business info including EIN on the back. If that doesn't work, try contacting your state's childcare licensing division. Since daycares are regulated, they should have the business information on file including their EIN. You can also check with your state's Secretary of State website to look up the business registration information. As a last resort, you can try Form 4506-T to request "Wage and Income Transcripts" from the IRS if the daycare did report your payments last year. This might show the daycare's EIN on your transcript.

You have a few options to track down that EIN: 1. Check last year's tax return if you claimed the Child and Dependent Care Credit (Form 2441) - the provider's EIN would be listed there. 2. Look through old receipts, contracts, or enrollment paperwork from the daycare - businesses often include their EIN on official documents. 3. If you paid electronically, bank statements sometimes list the business's full details including tax IDs. 4. If those don't work, contact your state's licensing agency for childcare facilities. They require EINs for licensing and may be able to provide it even for closed businesses. 5. As a last resort, you can file Form 4506-T with the IRS to request a transcript of your previous year's return that may contain the EIN. Remember that for the Child and Dependent Care Credit, you need the EIN or the provider's social security number if it was a sole proprietorship.

You have a few options to track down that EIN! The best place to start is by checking any receipts, contracts, or paperwork the daycare gave you when you enrolled. Many providers include their EIN on registration forms or parent handbooks. If you can't find it there, try contacting other parents who used the same daycare. Someone might have received the form or have older tax documents that include the EIN. Another option is to contact your state's childcare licensing agency. Since daycares need to be licensed, the agency should have their EIN on file and might be able to provide it to you for tax purposes. As a last resort, you can file your tax return with "Applied For" in the space for the EIN on Form 2441, but you'll need to attach a statement explaining that the provider is no longer in business and you've made reasonable attempts to get the number.

I went through this exact same situation last year with my son's preschool that abruptly closed. After trying everything, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which was seriously a lifesaver. It's this AI tool that can analyze your receipts and other daycare documents to help extract possible tax ID information or suggest alternative documentation routes. In my case, they helped me figure out that I could use the business registration number from the Secretary of State website along with Form 2441 explanation to still claim my childcare credit. The tool walks you through exactly what documentation the IRS accepts as alternatives when you can't get the EIN directly. Might be worth checking out!

After reading your situation, I wanted to share something that might help. I was in a similar position last year when my son's afterschool program closed without notice. I spent weeks calling around and getting nowhere until I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai). It's basically an AI tool that analyzes your tax documents and identifies missing information. I uploaded my receipts from the daycare and it actually helped me locate the EIN which was printed in tiny font at the bottom of one receipt I almost missed. The tool also confirmed the business was actually registered under a slightly different name than what I was searching for, which was why I couldn't find them initially. Saved me from potentially missing out on over $1,000 in tax credits.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after posting my question! I had a stack of receipts from the summer camp that closed, and the tool actually found the EIN printed on one of the registration forms I'd completely forgotten about. It also helped me figure out how much I'd paid total since I had used both check and credit card throughout the summer. Took me like 10 minutes instead of the hours I was spending trying to track down the camp director. Definitely worth checking out if you're still stuck!

You've got a few options to track down that EIN. First, check any receipts, contracts, or enrollment paperwork you received when you first signed up - daycares often include their EIN on these documents. If that doesn't work, try contacting other parents who used the same daycare. Someone might have received documentation with the EIN before the business closed. If those options fail, you can try calling the IRS business line at 800-829-4933. Explain your situation, and they might be able to provide the EIN if you have the exact legal name and address of the daycare. They won't always give this info, but sometimes they will for tax filing purposes. As a last resort, you can still claim the credit without the EIN. File Form 2441 with your return and write "PROVIDER CLOSED, EIN NOT AVAILABLE" where you'd normally put the EIN. Include all other required information about the provider (name, address). You might get a delay in processing while the IRS verifies, but you won't lose the credit entirely.

If you've tried everything else and still can't find the EIN, you might want to give Claimyr a shot (https://claimyr.com). I was in the exact same boat last tax season with a tutoring center that closed. I needed to verify their EIN and couldn't reach anyone. I spent DAYS trying to get through to the IRS on my own with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes who verified the business info I needed. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It was honestly shocking how quickly they got me through compared to the hours I wasted listening to hold music and getting disconnected.

Okay so I'm back to eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try Claimyr since nothing else was working. I was honestly shocked when I got a call back in about 35 minutes connecting me to an actual IRS person! The agent was able to look up the daycare by the address and owner's name and gave me the EIN I needed. I've literally NEVER gotten through to the IRS that quickly on my own. Usually I end up calling like 8 times before even getting in the queue, then hanging up after an hour+ of waiting. This saved me from having to file an extension just because of one missing number.

I had a similar issue with a summer camp that closed. I tried everything but couldn't track down their EIN. I was about to give up when I discovered https://taxr.ai - it helped me confirm the business's legal name and address, which was slightly different than what I thought. With that correct info, I was able to find their EIN through my state's business registry. The site analyzes your documents and tax situation to help identify missing info. You can upload any paperwork you have from the daycare (even partial) and it might help connect the dots. Definitely worth a shot when you're stuck!

I was super skeptical about taxr.ai at first too, but I was desperate after my tax preparer said she couldn't file without my daughter's afterschool program's EIN (they went bankrupt). I uploaded the few receipts I had kept plus a flyer from them, and it helped identify their parent company's name which I had no idea about! With that info, I found their EIN through the state business registry. Saved me a $500 child care credit! The analysis took like 5 minutes.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai! It actually worked really well for my situation. I uploaded my limited paperwork from the home daycare provider who ghosted me, and it identified some numbers on my receipt header that turned out to be their business registration ID. The tool walked me through how to properly document this on Form 2441 with a written explanation, and explained that this alternative approach is acceptable to the IRS when the provider is unresponsive. Saved me a ton of stress and I was able to successfully claim my dependent care credit! Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck with this EIN issue.

I went through something similar with my son's afterschool program last year. I tried for weeks to get their EIN with no luck. Finally I used https://taxr.ai to help me figure out my options. All I did was upload my daycare receipts and the enrollment contract, and their system found the EIN buried in the fine print of page 3 of the contract! I completely missed it when scanning through myself. If you have ANY paperwork from them at all, it's worth checking with a tool like this because EINs are often included somewhere in the documentation but easy to miss. Their system also explained the exact process for claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit when you can't locate the provider's EIN, which was super helpful for my peace of mind.

Have you tried checking your bank statements from last year? Sometimes when businesses process payments, they include their business name as registered with the IRS which might be different from their "doing business as" name. You might be able to Google that official name + EIN and find it that way. Also, if you paid them electronically (like through Venmo, PayPal, etc.), sometimes the payment details will show their business registration info.

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai after my skeptical question earlier. I decided to give it a try with some old childcare paperwork where I also couldn't find the EIN. Not only did they locate it in a footer I completely overlooked, but they also pointed out that I had been eligible for a dependent care FSA reimbursement that I'd missed for the past two years! I was able to submit a late claim to my employer and got back almost $1,200. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck with tax document issues like this.

If you're still struggling to get the EIN, you might want to try https://claimyr.com to get through to an actual IRS agent. I spent HOURS on hold with the IRS trying to get a missing EIN for a contractor last month. Finally used Claimyr, and they got me connected to a live IRS agent in about 25 minutes. The agent was able to look up the EIN based on the business name and address. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It was seriously life-changing after wasting nearly two days trying to get through the normal IRS phone system. The agent was actually super helpful once I explained my situation - apparently they deal with closed businesses all the time and have procedures for helping taxpayers get the info they need.

If you've tried everything else and still can't find the EIN, you might need to speak directly with the IRS. They technically have this info but good luck getting through their phone system! I wasted hours on hold before discovering https://claimyr.com - they basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you back when an agent is about to pick up. I used it to get an old employer's EIN that I needed for an amended return. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically skips the ridiculous hold times. The IRS rep I spoke with confirmed the EIN I needed in about 2 minutes once I actually got through to them.

Well I'll eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try Claimyr because I've been trying for WEEKS to reach the IRS about a missing 1099 issue. The service connected me to an agent in under 45 minutes (vs the 3+ hours I wasted before). The agent confirmed the business EIN after I explained it was for a closed daycare and I needed it for my child care tax credit. They just asked for the business name, address, and owner name to verify I had legitimate reasons for requesting it. Saved me a massive headache!

If you're still having trouble, you can use Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an actual IRS agent who can help. I was in a similar situation last year and spent WEEKS trying to get through the normal IRS phone line with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to a real person at the IRS in about 20 minutes who was able to look up the business information by name and address. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they navigate the IRS phone system for you and call you when they reach a real person. The agent I spoke with explained that while they can't give out the full EIN, they can verify the information if you have part of it or confirm if the documentation you have is sufficient.

I take back what I said about Claimyr. After struggling for TWO WEEKS trying to reach the IRS myself (called 27 times!), I broke down and tried it this morning. I was honestly shocked when my phone rang 25 minutes later and it was actually an IRS agent on the line! The agent was able to confirm that my alternative documentation (business name, address, and local business license number) would be sufficient if I include a written statement explaining the situation on my tax return. Turns out the IRS has procedures in place for exactly this situation since daycares closing without providing tax docs happens more often than you'd think. The agent was super helpful and walked me through the exact wording to use. Huge relief to have this sorted before the filing deadline!

I actually work at a tax prep office and deal with this issue a lot. If all else fails and you absolutely cannot locate the EIN, you can still claim the credit by providing as much information as possible about the provider. Include: 1. The complete name of the business 2. The complete address 3. A note explaining that the business has closed and you've made reasonable attempts to obtain the EIN 4. Any documentation you have showing you paid for the services (receipts, bank statements, etc.) The IRS may follow up asking for more information, but they won't automatically deny your credit just because you don't have the EIN.

I need to eat some humble pie here. After posting my skeptical comment, my wife convinced me to try Claimyr since our tax appointment was the next day and we desperately needed an EIN for her closed yoga studio's 1099 contractors. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 30 minutes who verified our identity and provided all three missing EINs we needed. Would have taken me days of trying to get through on my own based on past experience. Sometimes being wrong feels pretty good, especially when it saves you hours of frustration!

Just wanted to add - I work for a tax prep office, and another option is to file Form W-10 (Dependent Care Provider's Identification and Certification). If you can somehow reach the former owner, they're legally required to complete this form with their tax ID info. Most people don't know about this form but childcare providers are actually supposed to give it to all clients.

Have you tried looking at your bank statements from last year? I had a similar situation with a summer camp, and when I checked my bank statements, I noticed the official business name on the transactions was different from what they called themselves. I googled that official name + the city, and found their business registration which had the EIN. Worth a shot!

Another option nobody's mentioned - check with other parents who used the same daycare! We had a similar situation and one of the moms in our playgroup had managed to get the EIN from a previous year's receipt. Most daycare owners use the same EIN year after year so it should still be valid.

Have you tried searching the Secretary of State's business entity database for your state? Most states have these records online and they're free to search. I found my son's closed summer camp's EIN this way. Just search the business name and you can usually pull up their registration which often includes the EIN.

Pro tip: if it was a smaller home daycare, sometimes they use their Social Security Number instead of an EIN. In that case, you would need to put their SSN on Form 2441 instead. Did they ever mention if they were a registered business or just an individual provider?

If nothing else works, just file for an extension to buy yourself more time to track down the EIN. That's what I did when my kids' afterschool program director took off to Belize with no warning! Finally found another parent who had last year's form with the EIN on it. The extension gave me an extra 6 months to sort everything out without penalties.