Why did my US Tax Identification Number (TIN) fail verification?

Information provided by PayPal is not intended to be and should not be construed as tax advice. For questions about your specific tax situation, please consult a tax professional.

If you're asked to provide your Tax Identification Number (TIN), such as a Social Security Number (SSN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to your existing account(s), we'll attempt to verify the information with the IRS. If your TIN fails verification, you'll need to fill out an equivalent tax Form W-9.   

If the discrepancy persists, you may receive an IRS B-Notice later in the year to help you correct the mismatch. 

Some common reasons why a TIN may fail verification include:

• Invalid or incomplete Tax Identification Number (EIN, SSN, ITIN)
• The name and/or TIN that appears on your PayPal account doesn't match what the IRS has on file.  
• The business name on your PayPal account is different than the legal business name used with the IRS for tax purposes.

Tip: Minor typographical errors with the name (missing period or capitalization) in a business name wouldn't be the reason why there's an IRS mismatch.