1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Company Discussion

Trendsource's EIN Requirement

May 25, 2015 08:20PM
I wanted to add Trendsource to the list of companies for which I shop. I went on their site to register and see that they require their shoppers to get an EIN. I don't meet any criteria for which the IRS would require that I obtain an EIN. I think I understand why Trendsource wants this (for their protection) but it raises some questions and concerns:
1) Could obtaining a EIN impose other requirements on me? For example, because I have an EIN might my state or locality also require I obtain a business license or pay fees imposed on businesses?
2) If I have an EIN, will Trendsource allow me to sub out the jobs I take from them to other people?
3) Are there any other concerns which I haven't considered associated with obtaining an EIN?
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

More Discussions About TrendSource / MSI Mystery Shopping (All Companies)
More About Mystery Shopping Taxes
May 25, 2015 09:25PM
Getting an EIN is no big deal and only takes you a few minutes on the IRS website. You are not under any obligations when you have an EIN.
Reply
May 25, 2015 09:54PM
Thanks for answering. Were you told this by your attorney and/or tax advisor, or are you just assuming because that you have no obligations because no one has contacted you?

Does it affect the way you file your tax returns or other tax documents?

@jpgilham wrote:

You are not under any obligations when you have an EIN.
Reply
May 25, 2015 10:13PM
If you read what they send you, you are allowed to sub out contracts, not that you could make any money doing it.
This is just another benefit of Health Care Reform, the people that they are sending out are either their employees or independent contractors. The days of them just issuing you a check are going by the wayside. Within the next couple of years in order for the companies to stay in business they will either be issuing you a 1099 or a W-2. Not to sound all conspiracy freak but the IRS with healthcare reform upgraded their data mining software and they now have so much more information than they used to. So if James Doe at 1234 Anywhere USA is reporting no income and not filing taxes and on Medicaid and when Trendsource turns in their information to the system they find James Doe at 1234 Anywhere USA actually have income, Trendsource wants to be able to document that it is not their legal problem but his, hence the EIN to verify you as an IC
Reply
May 25, 2015 11:33PM
You can an EIN in a few minutes for free on the official IRS website. It costs nothing. Don't fall for any sites which want to charge you money to get an EIN.

Whehter you have an EIN or not, you still use Schedule C to report revenue and to report expenses. It will not change your taxes by a single penny.

I have consulted an IRS Registered Agent, although I am certain that this was the case and have been filing that way for years. The IRS Registerd Agent used to work for the IRS as an auditor, and is now a CPA in private practice.

Up until a few weeks ago, Dspeakes (who I believe is also an IRS Registered Agent) would have responded to this thread, but she got tired of some of the things on this site and if not gone, has at least turned silent. If you search for her messages, you will find confirmation of what I said above.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login