I don't know but get an EIN. Why would you have your SSN on the tax returns you prepare?

You don't need an EIN to avoid displaying your SSN, as you should be listing your PTIN.  Just leave Firm EIN blank in the Firm/Preparer Info section under Tools/Options.  Maybe that's what causing the error.  Of course nothing wrong with getting an EIN even if a sole proprietor, in case you use merchant CC processing then you give that #.

Ive seen this mentioned in the past, Im not sure of a workaround.

@Kathi_at_Intuit  can you help out with this?

Hi @Just-Lisa-Now- Thanks for the tag! We'll ook into this and see what we can find out. May take a bit, but will post when there is an update!

Hi @Rick S1 Welcome to the community and thanks for posting your first questions. You can e-file your own return as a sole proprietor ERO. 

Here’s what we found out:

1. Go to Tools > Options > Firm/Preparer Info and remove the SSN from the EIN field. That field should not contain an SSN.

2. In the Preparer/Electronic Return Originator (ERO) Information section, check the Self-employed? box.

3. In Tools > Options > Electronic Return Originator Info. You can enter either an EIN or an SSN here. As long as your SSN/PTIN is in the SSN/PTIN field, you do not need an EIN.

The above should resolve the error in ProSeries. We look forward to seeing you in the Community and  again, @Just-Lisa-Now- thanks for the tag!