It isn't just the W-2 EIN's, the problem is the same with the 1099-R EIN's as well.  I am guessing it is the same with the non-cash charitable contribution address list.  I never know if I am going to get lucky or not, each time I enter one of these items.  In one case the client had 4 1099-R forms from the same custodian.  One was already carried over from last year, yet when I entered the EIN for the next one, nothing came up.  After that, it did work for the other two.  I am guessing it is a sloppy programming issue.