I received a 1099-MISC but the payer's identification number is hidden. How do I file correctly?

Thanks for the quick response. I do have some invoices but they don't have the company's EIN on them. Just their business name and address. I didn't realize I could put "unknown" in that field - that's helpful to know! If I do that and then later get the correct information from them, would I need to file an amendment? Or is it okay to just leave it as unknown once I've filed?

If you later get the correct TIN from the payer, you generally don't need to file an amended return just for that piece of information. The IRS already has the correct information from the payer's submission, so they can match your income report even without the TIN on your end. If you're really concerned about it, you can wait a bit longer to file if you're not up against a deadline. Sometimes it takes businesses a while to respond during tax season. But if you need to file soon, using "unknown" is a valid approach that shouldn't cause major issues as long as the income amount is reported correctly.

How does this service work with other tax documents? I'm having issues with a few different forms this year and wondering if it could help with more than just the 1099 situation.

I'm skeptical about using third-party services for tax help. Wouldn't it be better to just call the IRS directly? What does this service do that's so special compared to just using regular tax software?

The service works with pretty much any tax document you can think of. I've used it for W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, and even some old tax returns I needed to analyze. You just upload the document and it extracts all the relevant information, explains what each field means, and provides guidance on how to proceed. Regarding calling the IRS directly, that's certainly an option, but anyone who's tried knows how difficult it can be to get through to them, especially during tax season. The wait times are often hours long, and you might not get the detailed guidance you need. What makes taxr.ai different from regular tax software is that it's specifically designed to analyze your tax documents and provide personalized guidance rather than just filling in forms. It's like having a tax expert look over your specific situation without the high hourly fees.

Wait, how does this actually work? The IRS phone system is notoriously awful. How can a third party get you through faster? Sounds too good to be true.

I don't buy it. There's no way to "skip the line" with the IRS. This sounds like a scam that will just take your money and leave you in the same position - on hold forever or talking to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

It works through a combination of technology and timing. The service uses an automated system that continuously calls the IRS using the optimal times and phone tree options, then notifies you when it makes a connection. It essentially does the waiting for you, and then calls you when an actual human at the IRS picks up. I was skeptical too until I tried it. The truth is they're not "skipping" any line - they're just using technology to wait in the line for you. I understand your concerns about potential scams, but my experience was that I got connected to a legitimate IRS agent who verified my identity through the normal IRS verification process and provided me with official guidance. The peace of mind from getting a definitive answer directly from the IRS was worth it for me, especially with an unusual situation like missing payer information.

That's a great idea about checking bank statements! I just looked and the deposits do show a slightly different name than what I was using. I'll try searching for that. And thanks for the reminder about expenses. I've been tracking most things but I'm not sure about home office deductions. Does anyone know if it's worth claiming a home office if I use my dining room table for most of my freelance work? I don't have a dedicated room.

For home office deductions, the IRS requires that the space be used "regularly and exclusively" for business. Unfortunately, a dining room table that's also used for family meals wouldn't qualify under the strict definition. However, if you have a specific corner or section of a room that's used exclusively for your business (like a desk in the corner of your living room that's only for work), you might be able to deduct that portion. Just be careful with home office deductions as they can increase audit risk. If you're using a simplified method, you can deduct $5 per square foot up to 300 square feet without having to document actual expenses, which might be easier if you do have a dedicated space.

In my experience working as an admin for a small business, sometimes the EIN is hidden because they messed up and sent you the copy that was supposed to go to the IRS (Copy A is typically red and has the TIN partially masked). If that's the case, they should have another copy to send you.

I didn't think about checking the envelope - unfortunately I already tossed it. This is my first time doing work for them so I don't have previous forms. I checked their website but didn't see any EIN listed. You might be right about them sending the wrong copy! The form does have a reddish tint to it, which seems unusual. I'll mention this specifically when I follow up with them again. Thank you both for the suggestions!