Issue with My SS-4 Form Submission
When I initially submitted my SS-4 form, I indicated that I was forming a Single Member LLC and entered ‘1’ in the members count field. After watching some informative videos, I decided to change course and form a Partnership instead. I then completed a new SS-4 form reflecting 2 members and the Partnership structure.
I faxed this updated form on March 10th. Today, when I called the IRS at 800-829-4933, I received my EIN number during the conversation.
However, I noticed the EIN letter states:
FIRSTNAME LASTNAME SOLE MBR
The IRS representative confirmed that my business is registered as a Partnership, but I was expecting it to show just “MBR” without “SOLE.” The response from the officer seemed uncertain.
He advised me to send a letter to the following address (no phone number provided):
333 West Pershing Road
Mail Stop 6055 S-2
Kansas City, MO 64108
I’m unsure if I should proceed with sending a letter or if I should call the IRS again to request a new EIN. I worry that the letter won’t yield a quick response, and I’d appreciate any advice.
For those with a Partnership, does your EIN letter list just “MBR” or “SOLE MBR” after your name?
One response
It sounds like you’re dealing with a bit of confusion regarding your EIN designation, which is completely understandable. Here’s a breakdown of your situation and some suggestions:
Understanding the Terminology: “SOLE MBR” refers to a single member (or owner) of an LLC. In your case, since you initially filed as a Single Member LLC and then changed your status to a Partnership, having “SOLE MBR” on the EIN letter seems to be an inconsistency. For a Partnership, you would typically expect to see “MBR” or something indicating multiple members.
Advice from the IRS: Since the IRS officer acknowledged your request for a Partnership but the EIN letter does not reflect that, it’s important to resolve this discrepancy. They instructed you to send a letter, which is often the best approach for formally correcting or clarifying information with the IRS.
Why Send a Letter: Sending a letter allows you to have a documented communication with the IRS, which is useful if further issues arise. Include details about your company, the EIN, and an explanation of the inconsistency. While it may take time to receive a response, it ensures proper documentation of your request.
Calling Again: While you can try calling again for clarification, keep in mind that phone calls may not yield a solid resolution and can often lead to more confusion, especially if different representatives provide varying information.
EIN Use in Practice: For partnerships, the designation on the EIN letter should ideally be corrected to reflect the actual structure. Partners typically have “MBR” without the “SOLE” designation, so your issue seems valid.
In conclusion, I would recommend sending the letter as advised by the IRS officer. Document everything clearly and keep copies of any correspondence for your records. In the meantime, you can still operate the business as a Partnership, but resolve the EIN discrepancy as soon as possible.