Thanks for visiting the Community, ljcousseau. I'm here to share additional details about using SSN Social Security numbers (SSN) instead of Employer ID Numbers (EIN) for 1099 filing in QuickBooks Online (QBO).
In QBO, the EIN should be entered in the company profile and needed for 1099 filing even if you have a sole proprietorship business, not the SSN, since the SSN is required for employees and contractors. The SSN are formatted in XXX-XX-XXXX, while EIN are XX-XXXXXXX.
On the other hand, employees must have a valid SSN for payroll. This info goes on your employees' W-2s and, oftentimes, State Unemployment Insurance tax forms.
As the IRS assigns EINs to business entities, these are used to track payroll tax liabilities and payments. Thus, an SSN is required for employees and contractors only.
For more details about SSN and EIN in QuickBooks, please refer to these articles:
In addition to that, if you want to apply for an EIN and learn more about the requirements, you can visit the IRS website.
Moreover, here are some helpful articles with more information about preparing 1099s in QBO:
I'll always be available in this forum if there's anything else you need further assistance with when creating your 1099s in QBO. Please let me know in the comments below, and I'll make sure to provide additional help. Have a great day ahead!
