EIN, Certified SEnumber, or not
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It looks like Certified See costs $10.99 each year. I'd probably go with EIN. That's free to get. DSG Associates is saying that it'll give you priority scheduling. All their shops in my area are self-assign so I don't see the purpose of "priority scheduling."
DSG never has shops in my area, AN EIN number you can get for free from the IRS website I think I have not had to have one for any of my business' but with PayPal, it might be to your advantage.
I got an EIN just to keep from putting my SSN out there so indiscriminately. BUT- there are old threads here on this forum where people have made solid arguments against getting an EIN. I recall at least one person who heard from local authorities about licensing and maybe code issues.
Yeah, I remember that. The person ended up having to buy license(s) for their business in order to operate from home, all because they ended up getting an EIN.
That is what I was afraid of. Once you put the EIN out there, the city and state may contact you. Sheesh, I just gave mine to two different companies. I don't need to deal with these people ( city and state). They will want money. I guess this mystery shopping thing is no longer a hobby, just for fun, a little extra income type thing now. Nothing will make it feel more like a small business like letters from the city or state demanding "their" share and demanding you purchase a license and all that crap. The thrill is gone.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2020 05:32AM by 1forum1.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2020 05:32AM by 1forum1.
I just joined this forum today specifically for this topic. I got the same emails from DSG regarding getting an EIN or CertifiedSE. But then yesterday they called me begging me to accept 3 shops somewhat far out of the way for me. Go figure...
From the sound of this, EIN is not the way to go. I guess I'll continue to just "do nothing" regarding getting an EIN or CertifiedSE number.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
Yeah, I remember that. The person ended up having to buy license(s) for their business in order to operate from home, all because they ended up getting an EIN.
From the sound of this, EIN is not the way to go. I guess I'll continue to just "do nothing" regarding getting an EIN or CertifiedSE number.
If you get an EIN from the federal government, do they ask where this "business" is domiciled? I too want to avoid giving my SS# out indiscriminately and obviously avoid local licensing, tax issues. But I wonder how locally they would get wind of this. Could it be when we file Schedule C on our tax returns?
@grs033.... Usually I get a phone call from them, but I hadn't received one this month so I decided to go ahead and give them the EIN I got last month. I got one last month because another MSC requires it when you get close to $600 in total fees with them. I really wish I had not ever gotten that stupid thing. I know I'm going to be hearing from the city. I think that EIN triggers something because you have to identify some sort of address regarding the location of the business. Also, they have your home address and one way or the other I bet you will be hearing from the city.
Maybe, maybe not. That might have been a random experience for the shopper who posted about it. I know there are other shoppers who got EINs and didn't have that problem. It might have something to do with your particular state and municipality, so hopefully you will be lucky and have no repercussions. Just don't be too pessimistic (my fingers are crossed for you 
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I've had an EIN for over a year and have had no problems. It probably varies from one jurisdiction to another, and problems may be rare.
I've had an EIN for several years with no state or local complications. Far better than having your SS# out there to be seen by god knows who!
I have an EIN and had to get a business license. It is around $50 a year.
Does anyone have experience with getting an EIN in New York State? With all the taxes NYS has, I wouldn't be surprised if there would be some kind of license I would have to get in New York. Since I only do evaluating as a very part-time, kind of hobby type thing; paying $50 annually for a business license would cause me to not do shops any longer.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2020 04:29AM by grs033.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2020 04:29AM by grs033.
An EIN is issued by the IRS. They know where you live.
As to how local govts get wind of it, I have no idea. Curious about that myself. It's possible that this is an issue only in states that have an income tax, and local govts are able to get information from state returns.
As to how local govts get wind of it, I have no idea. Curious about that myself. It's possible that this is an issue only in states that have an income tax, and local govts are able to get information from state returns.
@lcubed3 wrote:
If you get an EIN from the federal government, do they ask where this "business" is domiciled? I too want to avoid giving my SS# out indiscriminately and obviously avoid local licensing, tax issues. But I wonder how locally they would get wind of this. Could it be when we file Schedule C on our tax returns?
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