Firm EIN

[Rick S1]

I am a sole proprietor and ERO, so my firm EIN is my SS.  Proseries is saying I cannot efile my own personal tax return due to having the same EIN as my return.  Is this truly the case?

[sjrcpa]

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

[Taxprohere]

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 #.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

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

@Kathi_at_Intuit  can you help out with this?

[Kathi_at_Intuit]

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!

[Kathi_at_Intuit]

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!