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@Wild Bill wrote:

@25yearsofMysteryShopping
Trendsource is another company that requires an EIN. They will not accept your SS #. They also require a background check (at your expense) to do their business verifications. I got an EIN for Trendsource and it took me all of 10 minutes. IMO this may become a trend with all the class action lawsuits challenging IC status vs Employee status, especially here in California.

Will Bill,
Just a bit of clarification here....I currently do intermittent work for Trendsource, and HAVE NOT GOTTEN an EIN.......I am using my SS# for payment. They will allow this AS LONG AS your earnings are LESS THAN $600 in the US (not sure about other countries). Once the $600 limit is reached, they require an EIN......I have NO intention of getting an EIN, so I will be limiting my earnings with Trendsource to $599.00

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2016 02:06AM by guysmom.

Thanks Guysmom, I did not know that.

Thanks for the link 25yrs.... but where does it say it is illegal for a company to require an EIN of a IC to do business with them?

I know the IRS doesn't require it, but what law is broken for a company to require one?

Some companies require proof of auto insurance, the list goes on.

My point is IMHO none of this is illegal.

@guysmom wrote:

@Wild Bill wrote:

@25yearsofMysteryShopping
Trendsource is another company that requires an EIN. They will not accept your SS #. They also require a background check (at your expense) to do their business verifications. I got an EIN for Trendsource and it took me all of 10 minutes. IMO this may become a trend with all the class action lawsuits challenging IC status vs Employee status, especially here in California.

Will Bill,
Just a bit of clarification here....I currently do intermittent work for Trendsource, and HAVE NOT GOTTEN an EIN.......I am using my SS# for payment. They will allow this AS LONG AS your earnings are LESS THAN $600 in the US (not sure about other countries). Once the $600 limit is reached, they require an EIN......I have NO intention of getting an EIN, so I will be limiting my earnings with Trendsource to $599.00

I dont think they actually require EIN at all. I made $1800 and change from TrendSource last year and I'm still using my SSN. As far as a company requiring anything is whatever the signer of the contract is willing to abide by. However, comp and insurance is more of an employee thing, not IC status.

Taken from Trendsource website:

New Field Agents
• Submission requirements include:
– Photo ID
– Field Agent Certification Test
– EIN and W-9
(for Agents who approach $600 in non-reimbursable payments)

Does anyone else have experience with Spar? I was told the 4% workmans comp deduction is a condition of doing business with them. It is a part of the IC agreement and the only deduction taken, no taxes, etc and I get a 1099 at years end. So we are clearly treated as IC's from Spar.

I would rather not pay the 4%, has anyone successfully gotten out of it? Spar told me if I didn't agree to it, they wouldn't award me any stores.

Hi I am not an attorney but requiring something that is not required by law is against the law. Does that make sense? You are allowed to travel domestically without a Passport. If Airline XYZ said you needed a passport to fly from New York to LA that would be in violation of the law. A company cannot make a ruke that supersedes the law.. In a nutshell if you are a sole proprietor then you dont need an EIN. You can contact the IRS for their clarification.

Wild Bill I would contact both the IRS and your State Labor board to find out if this is legal. (with SPAR) Sounds shady to me

If you are using your social security number for Trendsource, you are breaking their rules. EINs cost nothing, in fact, it protects you from getting your social security number stolen. If you are running a business, which an independent contractor is, you should consider getting an EIN. If this is all just hobby stuff then no big deal, Uncle Sam still wants his taxes, regardless.

That's not entirely true. I registered with Trendsource prior to the requirement. I can work without getting the EIN.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

their rules are illegal..again read the above posts they cannot require an EIN if you are a sole proprietor. The 600.oo is when you have to claim earnings on a tax return..it is nothing to do with EIN vs SSN. I have been doing IC work a very long time..Not using an EIN does not make it a hobby business for me. It is fine to get one but I don't like companies misleading what IC's HAVE to do.

from the IRS: I encourage people to read the IRS rules..A company cannot make up their own rules..trust me I have seen it done and I have challenged a few on their rules

[www.irs.gov]

Ok, I know Tammy. She is/was the COO of Cast. I do not understand what this new company is, though, and why she took the merchandiser list from Cast. I am trying to contact her directly by email to get answers

@25yearsofMysteryShopping wrote:

I had seen the LinkedIn...there are many reviews about Tammy Little and many reviews about CAST. Know your rights everyone..even IC 's have rights--and don;t take what you read on here as gospel..do you research. I can say the sky is checkerboard but that doesnt make it so I simply can't believe how much this industry has fallen..SMH

I thought that name sounded familiar. I wonder if she is trying to take over Castforces old accounts now that Cast has completely imploded?

@Quisim wrote:

Ok, I know Tammy. She is/was the COO of Cast. I do not understand what this new company is, though, and why she took the merchandiser list from Cast. I am trying to contact her directly by email to get answers

I received an email today from SNAP to sign up with their company.....not going to do it!! The email stated that if you want to work for their company, an EIN is mandatory...not gonna happen.....delete!

As someone who has worked for the IRS and currently a CPA during tax season, I can tell you that any company has the right to require a SS or an EIN. They have the choice. I also can tell you that I would prefer an EIN over a SS because it is only for business use. It seems this issue here is that for some reason getting an EIN is taboo. I will take the time and signup with the company and let you all know what I find out. FYI there are quite a few banks in Tennessee that require you to have an EIN if you are an independent contractor.

anjisemail..I called the IRS and was told that is NOT true. I have to be a bit wary as your first post is saying you formerly worked for the IRS and you will go ahead and sign up with the company. Honestly--it sounds like you are a "plant" to me. I dont know Tennessee rules but that also does not sound correct--I bank with a National Bank so I will ask my banker when I go next week

Anjisemail..could you clarify what you mean when you say some Tennessee banks require you have an EIN? My bank(s) dont know I am an IC or an employee when I do my banking//so could you be more specific? How/when are they requiring it? If you are doing business banking it might make sense but as an IC a bank wouldnt know

I can clarify if you want a business account with a bank here in Tennessee you must show an EIN and a business license. I personally do not care what you think as I am aware of my employment history and you are not. I stated that a company does have the right to specify what ID number they accept for there employees. That has nothing to do with what you are trying to imply. As a corporation they can choose and it isnt against the law. IRS only cares that the company reports the income and that the employee does as well. I can also confirm that when you call the IRS to ask a basic question you will get a different answer each time as they do not care honestly unless you have a case with them. I also chose to signup to see if it was a scam so this can be squashed one way or another. I also do not need your approval to post my opinions nor do you have the right to accuse me of lying nor a plant as you stated.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2016 08:01PM by anjisemail.

Also to prove my point further, illegal immigrats that want to work do not have a social security number and the IRS still requires them to file and they get an ITIN number to file. Which is another number a company can request.

whoa..calm down! I asked you to clarify as what you said was an IC needs an EIN,.. There is a difference between and IC and a business as I am sure you know..and what you said is "FYI there are quite a few banks in Tennessee that require you to have an EIN if you are an independent contractor." a business and an IC are not the same. I know what the IRS said and what I read on their website. Anyone can be anyone or say anything on forums..that is why I go straight to the source. You are "confirming things" yet I have no idea what you do or who you are. Yet you say the IRS is wrong and you are right? A previous post says you merchandise full time..with all due respect I check with verified professionals who CAN confirm. I have been in this business close to 30 years and have seen companies do things they think are legal or know they are not. I have seen so much misinformation posted on this forum I rarely check in as it makes my head spin..everyone thinks they know the right thing but it amazes me that people don't check with a real life professional or a reputable website

and further clarification.. I never said you were lying and you said (I am copying/pasting here)" I stated that a company does have the right to specify what ID number they accept for there employees. " We are talking INDEPENDENT CONTRACTS here..not employees. If you are truly a CPA who works full time as a merchandiser I would think you would know the difference. There are of course differences between what is needed for an IC, a business and an employee Also helpful hint: it is THEIR employees not THERE ..sorry but as a diligent Mystery Shopper that drives me crazy

I am a full time merchandiser and a CPA during tax season. I have also managed restaurants and others. I know the laws as i am required to take courses every year to keep my licenses. I do not like that just because something is new people feel the right to start bad mouthing it. As you said you have no proof if this company is real or not so why try and make it seem like it is. I dont know if it is or not, but i do know that people that are quick to judge usually ends up in the negative.

And I know the laws as well. Maybe the company is real or maybe they are a scam. But a lot of people are very naive and give out information too quickly..we have every right to question the legitimacy of a company..especially when they send out hundreds of unsolicited emails, didn't have a Facebook page, give out incorrect information and make rude comments online. This industry is going to h*** in a hand basket partially due to people accepting everything they read and are told.

Now that maybe true but i cant say that as i work 50 hours a week for an amazing company. I work for a few minor ones, but i love my fulk time company. Ill let you know how it goes with Snap

From my perspective, the reason I refuse to work with any companies that require an EIN is that the government and the IRS are already FAR TOO INTRUSIVE in our lives, and I don't need/care/want to have them involved in my life any more than necessary. One company I work for that generally requires an EIN does let its shoppers use a SS# as long as their EARNINGS (reimbursements don't count) are LESS THAN $600.00. So when my earnings for the year with that company hit $599.00 for the year, I'll stop till next year.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2016 03:22AM by guysmom.

@25yearsofMysteryShopping,

Do you file a schedule C with your federal return to report your IC income and related business expenses such as mileage, office supplies, home office etc?

If so, you are a business regardless of if you use a SS# or EIN.

More and more companies are asking for EIN's in IC work simply due to the IRS cracking down on the mis-classification of employment status cases.

An EIN simply makes it easier for a company to classify you as an IC as it proves you are indeed a business vs an employee.

An IC is a business entity in the eyes of the IRS whether you wish to acknowledge that or not.

Can I explain this issue any simpler?

And how is an EIN any more of an intrusion than a SS#? I don't get that logic. Can you explain?

Thank you WildBill

Furthermore,

All self employed people, including IC's pay self employment tax. Why?

Because the IRS considers self employed people, including IC's a business.

Therefore they want the money from you that they would have collected from your employer.

Is this explanation simple enough?

Some of these posts make me shake my head in wonder. Unless this is a hobby, and treated as such (no income reported on a schedule C and no business deductions taken) then you are in business for yourself.

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