IRS discount on tax ID application

[YG]

I just applied for a tax ID for a new not for profit corp.  On the last page where CC info is entered I decided to put it off till later in the day, and when I tried to close the window I was instantly offered to pay a reduced price of $127 instead of $197. 

[AsherO]

You applied for an EIN?

I didn't know there was a fee, it can't possibly be that high.

What website did you apply through (sure it wasn't a third-party)?

[aygart]

You applied for an EIN?

I didn't know there was a fee, it can't possibly be that high.

What website did you apply through (sure it wasn't a third-party)?

+1
The irs doesn't charge for an ein

[frumeyid]

+1
The irs doesn't charge for an ein

+1000

I do this all the time. No charge.

[churnbabychurn]

I just applied for a tax ID for a new not for profit corp.  On the last page where CC info is entered I decided to put it off till later in the day, and when I tried to close the window I was instantly offered to pay a reduced price of $127 instead of $197.

what state?

[Super Speed]

Is it worth it to get an EIN for a business that has no income in order to get CC?

[frumeyid]

what state?

IRS=federal.

[frumeyid]

Is it worth it to get an EIN for a business that has no income in order to get CC?

I don't think it is because at least with your social your income actually comes up when they run it. With a tax id on a company with no income, they can easily see something's wrong. And that'll certainly be a problem if you get FR'ed. At least in my opinion.

[dovy2]

I don't think it is because at least with your social your income actually comes up when they run it. With a tax id on a company with no income, they can easily see something's wrong. And that'll certainly be a problem if you get FR'ed. At least in my opinion.

and if you get FR'd? so what... get a new one...

[YG]

You applied for an EIN?

I didn't know there was a fee, it can't possibly be that high.

What website did you apply through (sure it wasn't a third-party)?

OUCH!!
Thought I saved $70, when I actually got scammed for $127 by https://irs-tax-id.com.
Came up top on google search.

No way I can make a claim for money back through Amex is there?

Can I 'return' the tax ID for. Refund within 90 days?

[Bostener]

OUCH!!
Thought I saved $70, when I actually got scammed for $127 by https://irs-tax-id.com.
Came up top on google search.

No way I can make a claim for money back through Amex is there?

Can I 'return' the tax ID for. Refund within 90 days?

Again, the IRS does not charge for an EIN.  MAKE SURE YOU WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

[YG]

Gave them my social too.

Now I'm wondering whether they're just out to rip people off for 127, or perhaps they're identity thieves aswell.

Any suggestions about how to protect myself assuming that they are dodgy?

[Bostener]

Gave them my social too.

Now I'm wondering whether they're just out to rip people off for 127, or perhaps they're identity thieves aswell.

Any suggestions about how to protect myself assuming that they are dodgy?

Look at the website that you paid. Is it a company that charges $127 for a simple service or are they out rite scamers.

Just a note the IRS also requires your social in most ceases.

[YG]

Just chatted with AmEx CS online

Ronnie: Happy Thursday! This is Ronnie! How can I help you today?
you: Hi Ronnie
you: hope youre well,
Ronnie: Yes, I am fine, thank you for asking!
Ronnie: Hope you are doing great as well!
you: great to hear!
you: i am well thank G-d
Ronnie: How may I help you today?
Ronnie: Great to hear that!
you: i applied for a IRS tax ID online today, you will see a charge pending for $127, I then found out from friends that the IRS deos not charge for a tax ID and I was misled by a company posing as the IRS with the URL www.irs-tax-id.com that i was naieve enough to fall for charged me $127 for a service that is actually free
Ronnie: Oh...
Ronnie: No problem...
Ronnie: We will take care of it for you...
Ronnie: If you see this charge posted, just dispute it online or contact us...
Ronnie: You are not liable for the pending charge on the account.
Ronnie: You can visit americanexpress.com/inquirycenter to open a dispute. On that page, click the 'Begin' link next to Open a New Inquiry.
Ronnie: In the meantime, I will note your account with this information as well.
you: thanks for your help
Ronnie: You are welcome!
you: so i wait till it posts as a charge till i open a dispute claim?
Ronnie: Absolutely!
Ronnie: And we will take care of it from there.
you: Im also concerned that i gave them my social and the secutiy of my identity may be comromised
you: any suggestions?
Ronnie: Not be able to comment on that, however your American Express Card is cent percent protected.
you: ok thanks for your help ronnie
you: have a great weekend

[YG]

Look at the website that you paid. Is it a company that charges $127 for a simple service or are they out rite scamers.

Just a note the IRS also requires your social in most ceases.

It makes perfect sense for the IRS to ask for a social, they are the government.  Thats why I gave it. I thought it was them.  Giving my social to some private company is a whole different story.

The company might be technically legit, but extremely misleading.  There is no doubt that they designed their url to mislead innocent naive people (like me) into thinking that they are the IRS.  Sucked me in big time.

the company showed up on my amex CC bill online as:
Doing Business As:   EIN FILLING SERVICES
Merchant Address:   
1221 JUDSON RD
1000A
LONGVIEW
TX
75601
UNITED STATES
Category: Business Services - Banking Services

[dovy2]

from their website:

Save time preparing complicated government forms and prevent errors by using our easy-to-use online Tax ID Number Application Assistant. You can obtain an SS-4 Form and try and complete it yourself, or use the IRS website to obtain your Federal Tax ID Number, however if there is any problem with your information you could be forced to call the IRS and spend hours waiting on-hold. For a small fee we will prepare your SS-4 form and work with the IRS to obtain your Tax ID Number and deliver it to you quickly and securely via email. If you need to make changes to your information on record with the IRS our agents will provide you with support in updating or correcting your information for no additional fee. Our service makes the IRS SS-4 Application process quick, easy, and accurate for both individuals and businesses. This site is not affiliated with any government agency.

[YG]

OK.  so they might be techincally legit, and have their bases covered, but are still deliberately designed to be misleading.

i just went to irs.gov to apply myself and at the top of the page in bole letters they say

How to Apply for an EIN
Applying for an EIN is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service. Beware of Web sites on the Internet that charge for this free service.

they also say

We cannot process your application online if the responsible party is an entity with an EIN previously obtained through the Internet. Please use one of our other methods to apply. See How to Apply for an EIN. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

And I just successfully processed it with them and got a EIN, so apparently irs-tax-id.com didnt process it yet.

[frumeyid]

OK.  so they might be techincally legit, and have their bases covered, but are still deliberately designed to be misleading.

i just went to irs.gov to apply myself and at the top of the page in bole letters they say
they also say  And I just successfully processed it with them and got a EIN, so apparently irs-tax-id.com didnt process it yet.

First of all, I would give you a piece of advice for the future. Any time you are doing anything government related, be careful. Any and all government applications have some service that misleads you to think you are applying through the government while they are merely a service that charges a fee for them to do it. One telltale sign is the .com address. Government websites are 99% of the time .gov. Another way you can realize is if you read carefully. If they are a legitimate company, they will be careful to post a notice (perhaps in small letters) stating that they are just a service that does the application for you. Specifically for an EIN, there is no reason to pay anyone to do it as it is one of the easiest government applications to complete.

Pay attention to these things. I'm an attorney so I keep my eyes open for these signs and it's very easy for the general consumer to be misled, even with all of the protections the FTC and other government agencies put into place. I hope you get the credit!

Oh, and as an aside, all of these legal service websites take ten times the amount of time you or an attorney would take to file these applications. That's why you were able to get yours in before they did. I know someone who went to legalzoom for a corporation and it took 3 months. You can do the application yourself or with an attorney and for an extra 25 bucks you can get it in 24 hours. Insanity.

[dovy2]

First of all, I would give you a piece of advice for the future. Any time you are doing anything government related, be careful. Any and all government applications have some service that misleads you to think you are applying through the government while they are merely a service that charges a fee for them to do it. One telltale sign is the .com address. Government websites are 99% of the time .gov. Another way you can realize is if you read carefully. If they are a legitimate company, they will be careful to post a notice (perhaps in small letters) stating that they are just a service that does the application for you. Specifically for an EIN, there is no reason to pay anyone to do it as it is one of the easiest government applications to complete.

Pay attention to these things. I'm an attorney so I keep my eyes open for these signs and it's very easy for the general consumer to be misled, even with all of the protections the FTC and other government agencies put into place. I hope you get the credit!

Oh, and as an aside, all of these legal service websites take ten times the amount of time you or an attorney would take to file these applications. That's why you were able to get yours in before they did. I know someone who went to legalzoom for a corporation and it took 3 months. You can do the application yourself or with an attorney and for an extra 25 bucks you can get it in 24 hours. Insanity.

really? you gotta be kidding!