HI

One of the companies I have done work for for over 5 year now is requiring an ein number.I don't plan to shop for them anymore because I don't want to get one. Does anyone else have any feeling s about this.

Secondly, i just got a 9 instead of a 10 on a shop I did because I was at the place of business for 45 minutes and the client only requested 30 minutes. Crazy huh?

paid2peek

I almost did my first job for this company when they required that I enter my EIN and w9 to complete the sign up. I let the job go until I can think about it more.

I probably need to get an EIN since I have been doing more and more contracting work, shopping and otherwise. It will make a diffence in my taxes. I don't make enough at it.

What are the concerns about having an EIN for shopping?

I have an EIN# and think too big a deal has been made of getting one. Jobs are flying off the board, so many shoppers have signed up...

Is this a company other than Trend Source wanting an EIN?

Trendsource is the only one I needed it for.

There has been a lot of discussion on EINs. Use the "Search" function on the forum, select "all dates" and search for TrendSource and you will see all the discussion. About 18 months ago, Maritz also announced that an EIN was mandatory buy after several months they changed their minds. You might also search for Maritz and you can read the discussion abo9ut EINs about Fall 2010.

Irene. You are out of line. It IS a big deal. I wish you would stop and think before posting...

I have done IC work for my house/pet sitting and acting businesses as well as mystery shopping. I have never had an EIN and think it's ridiculous to have to get one. I only fill out a Schedule C for my business expenses. I've been doing this for years and have never, ever had anyone ask for an EIN.

Those shops may be flying off the board, however, didn't they extend the deadline? So, it is quite possible that those jobs are "flying off the board" to people who only provided their SSN.

mrcomputer101 Wrote:
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> Irene. You are out of line. It IS a big deal. I
> wish you would stop and think before posting...


What is offensive about her comment? I dont get it.

I would have to agree with the above post that they are most likely flying off the board to shoppers with SSN. Let's see how fast they fly after June 21.

Very correct, let's see how it plays out. TrendSource may have to back off their requirement the same way Maritz did. Shops are still flying off the board but the EIN is not yet required in order to get paid.

It is already giving them cause for concern. I see a lot of shops in my area they have to offer a heavy bonus to fill. I have called them and explained that I will NOT accept shops until this changes. I still get several emails each day, begging for help. It is only people who disrespect other Shoppers and accept shops that keeps them afloat....

So, Go ahead and support this move like sheep to the slaughter. Their next bright idea is low - ball bidding on shops. Oh Wait! This has already started as a "Pilot Project"...:p

You are out of line, stop acting like I am the only one in the world with an EIN,you can always reverse it if something doesn't sit right, and if your so concered, explain why...your post says nothing. Check out Tech's post under EIN/Trendsource under search, everything is in detail, and unless you have valid information Mr. Computer, don't you dare call me out.
computer101 Wrote:
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> Irene. You are out of line. It IS a big deal. I
> wish you would stop and think before posting...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/2012 11:42PM by Irene_L.A..

Requiring an EIN instead of a SSN sends up red flags for me. What they hell are they trying to work around that they don't want to deal with?

I think red flags is certainly a valid response. Certainly our line of work does not have IRS wanting us to get EINs and the possibility of fraudulent behavior is higher hiding behind an EIN than a SSN. But I don't think Trendsource is being devious so much as misguidedly listening to the latest snake oil salesman who came down the street. As far as I am concerned, this is the third time in my history with them that I feel they have shown really poor judgment, so I have blown kisses on my way out the door. I have not terminated, but I no longer trust their judgment.

Irene is certainly not the only one in the world with an EIN. I've had one for decades and I've had no issues with it. Not only do I have it, I have never filed an income tax return on it. I use only my social security number for filing income tax returns, and have never been called out on it by the IRS. I originally got an EIN because I had employees. Now I'm working for companies that request it, and I don't mind providing it. I don't think an independent contractor generally has to have an EIN unless he/she has employees, but I won't let providing the number be an issue. I work a great deal for Maritz and very little for Trendsource.

Irene has been treated badly here and scolded like a child about her post, which was not mean and not meant to hurtful. To be treated so shabbily is disrespectful and uncalled for.

I respect other shoppers who deserve my respect, and don't understand why having a difference of opinion should equate to disrespecting others. Does this mean that shoppers who have differing opinions are all disrespecting one another? Really.

I am indifferent whether the MSCs have my EIN or not, and I am indifferent whether they require it or not. I don't care one way or the other. It doesn't matter to me how many shoppers get one, or how many shoppers don't get one.

Those who want a number should get a number. Those who don't want a number should not get a number. We are not employees and we are not in a union. Who's in charge here? Nobody. Wonderful.

It's not considerate to call people sheep being led to the slaughter. That is lacking respect and out of line. I've seen it stated several times that name calling has no place here. What a blazing disappointment this is.

Irene. When what you post shows a disregard of other shoppers, I will call you out every time. I know your are not the only one with an EIN, thats not the point.

MDavisnowell. I think you have both missed the point of this move by Trendsource. You both have an EIN. Thanks fine. I do not have an issue with that.
How about you both take a moment and consider your fellow shoppers?
I know many shoppers that are on partial or full disability.
What happens to them when they get an EIN?
They run the risk of reduction or losing benefits.
Many of them use Mystery Shopping just to make ends meet.
They have depended on certain shops as "Self Help" additional income for years.
Your lack of support for these shoppers and others is true disrespect...

Thanks Mary, I was shocked, is the industry going to hell because I decided to get an EIN#, which is reversible. Change is always scary, and those worried should do your own research and make up your own mind. Mr. Computer, this is just an excuse to call a woman dumb, and if you would like to replace me on this forum, we won't continue to have fun, weigh in with different opinions etc. Dissapointed in the largest sense of the word, Mr. Computer is what this forum shouldn't be about.


I suggest you don't get an EIN#. I do not know the laws of disabled folks, and don't see how my not getting one will help them, will it make a difference if
I give it up, really, there is no coming back from the way you spoke to me, to late to try and redeem yourself.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/29/2012 01:46AM by Irene_L.A..

I did not call you dumb.
I feel your post showed an indifference to your fellow Shoppers.
As far as attempting to redeem myself in your eyes?
You gotta a long wait on that one...

EIN number ensures your status as an independent contractor. Besides, wouldn't you rather have them use an EIN number instead of your SSN?

Don't worry about it. If you already do a Schedule C, EIN is just a formality.

SoCalShopper -- Where in the world did you get that information? I have paid a lot of attention to the IC issue and the fact that the IRS has been cracking down on companies that have misclassified employees. The EIN number does not ensure your status as an IC in the eyes of the IRS. They have other requirements that have nothing to do with whether a person has an EIN and that is why I wonder if they are trying to circumvent those requirements by insisting that shoppers get something that is normally used for a business venture.

The problem with writing a response in a post rather than speaking face to face is that you can interpret things very differently.

I value the input from both of you and hope that after you look back on each others comments you can come to some common ground.

It felt pretty awkward reading the past few posts by both of you and I'm sure you both feel that you are not being heard. I'm sure no malice was intended on either side. Let's just agree that we are all entitled to our own opinions and they should be respected whether on or not we agree with them.

Step back, guys. It's not personal. I appreciate comments and discussion, pros and cons.

I have seen with MSPs, and shops, that those who most enjoy and benefit, are ready, willing and able to comply, without complaint. If Trendsource shops don't pad the account or offer useful reimbursement, the tendency is to forego an EIN. I haven't gotten one yet. Nor have I gotten a background check. BUT, I'm not averse, just haven't gotten around to it, or felt the need. For me, I think I will do both, when the time is right. The business that I will be not eligible for is substantial.

MrC, I hadn't realized the impact that the EIN requirement may have on the disabled, or any group. Thank you for shedding light on this. If this requirement results in bias against anyone, it would definitely give me pause.

HI

My best friend and former officer manager used to do a lot of work for a company that is now requiring an ein (I thought we weren't supposed to name companies)That
being said, it is a new "TREND" this company wants an ein. i don't know where their "SOURCE" of information for needing ein's is. None the less she did a lot of little
grocey store when they had them. Now that they have lost that account she doesn'tdo any work for them. She is diasbled and walks with a cane, and is going blind from her diabetis. I seem to recall last year she made a$400.0 from this company. Not enough for a 1099, however with an EIN she would have to report it, (I think) and that will do nothing but case a red flag with her disability. What I don't understand is I owned a small business that at one time grossed over $350,000 a year and my SS# was ,my tax id number Why was it ok for $350,000 and nook for my $520.00 a yer i made last year with the company that wants me to get anein?

paid 2 peek

Paid-

Regardless of whether you make $40, $400, or $4,000 you need to report all earned income on your taxes. The $600 limit is for the company having to provide you with a 1099.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/29/2012 12:15PM by kalfini.

Mert, I beleive you do taxes, shed some light. I do, and need to continue doing their grocery stores, about 6 in my radius, which is why I got one and the only reason. Why is that not caring about shoppers.....

kalfini is correct, you have to report all income. However, we do not get a W2, we get a 1099 form.

I did a wee bit of research on the IRS website and, from what I can tell, we do not need an EIN to be a shopper which goes back to my questioning of why Trendsource (we can mention company names as long as we don't identify their clients). So, here's the questions asked when trying to decide whether you need an EIN:

Definition of an EIN: "An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity."

Do you have employees?
YES NO

Do you operate your business as a corporation or a partnership?
YES NO

Do you file any of these tax returns: Employment, Excise, or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms?
YES NO

Do you withhold taxes on income, other than wages, paid to a non-resident alien?
YES NO

Do you have a Keogh plan?
YES NO

Are you involved with any of the following types of organizations?

Trusts, except certain grantor-owned revocable trusts, IRAs, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Returns
Estates
Real estate mortgage investment conduits
Non-profit organizations
Farmers' cooperatives
Plan administrators

None of the above questions apply to mystery shopping. So, the question remains: why does Trendsource need their shoppers to have EINs? What IRS requirement are they trying to circumvent?

Mr.Computer - We are required to report income, regardless of source, and regardless of personal situations. That is the law, and it was not made by me. The EIN changes nothing. Individuals will report business income on Schedule C, whether they report on an EIN or SSN.

Nevertheless, I don't believe that MSCs requesting EIN numbers from shoppers has anything to do with issues regarding those on disability benefits, and my decision to furnish my EIN had nothing to do with those issues, either. Your position that this is a disability issue is unusual. Your position that I am disrespecting the disabled is bizarre.

Individuals who are underreporting income for whatever their reasons may be should do whatever they think best. I would not interfere with their decisions, and would hope to see the same consideration returned to me.

My personal business decisions are not a disrespectful reflection on others. You have taken it upon yourself to call me disrespectful because I do not agree with you. Name calling will not get you anything you want.

PAID2PEEK Wrote:
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> HI
(I thought we weren't supposed to name companies)

Hi -- there is no restriction to naming companies on the forum. What we cannot do is to name the clients of the companies or divulge confidential details that we learn during the course of shopping these clients for the companies.

I agree with Flash's comment about the snake oil. You really just have to consider the source of the request and realize that other wacky decisions have come from this company in the past.

Why a MSC makes a potentially misguided decisions is anybody's guess, but consider the number of shops that Trendsource offers and the average pay. It would most likely cripple them if they went to an employee model, so they have some reason to worry.

I've worked for another MSC that has 1 client, less then a dozen shoppers and pays well over $100 per assignment. For them, it would more or less boil down to some additional paperwork and accounting, so they could care less about the availability of the IC status for shoppers.