self employed, preparer, EIN?

Question

I have left public accounting and will be doing a few individual tax returns this year on my own. Have one question though. On the 1040 it ask for the EIN of the paid preparer. Well I don't have one, does answering the question as being self-employed alleviate having to answer that question. I prefer not to get one and not use my SS (which is why I got a PTIN). Any thoughts

Just want to be clear - where it say EIN I can put my PTIN and it would be fine. Is there a choice of leaving it blank?

Answer 1

I would obtain a TIN from the IRS. I don't believe you can just ignore the box that asks for an EIN for your firm. It clearly says you need to provide your name if you are Self-Employed, so you either need to provide your SSN or an EIN. Obtaining the EIN is easy to do online and you won't need to provide your SSN on the returns you prepare.

Here's the link to the new interview style online TIN application: It takes less than 5 minutes and you will have your number to use. I would check "started new business" as the reason for applying for an EIN.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html

Answer 2

When I do returns for clients I include my PTIN and check the self-employed box but leave the EIN section blank. If you prepared returns for a public accounting firm, you should already have your own PTIN. Returns done for that firm would have your PTIN and the firms EIN.

Answer 3

If you receive pay for doing the tax returns, you *must* put a number into the 1040. You cannot leave it blank. This is the purpose of the PTIN.

Answer 4

You can put your PTIN in place of your SS#. That is precisely why the created the PTIN. Tax professionals objected to giving their SS# to clients.

If you had a EIN for your business, then you would need to put that on as well.

Answer 5

An EIN is preferable to a SSN. It takes about five minutes to get online through the IRS website. Just look for automated SS-4 form and fill it in. Good luck.

Answer 6

You can get a special ID number as a paid preparer if you don't want to use your SSN. Or you could just get an EIN. Either way will work.

Answer 7

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