How long till EIN number is active?

Question

Level 1

64 points

How long till EIN number is active?

I got my EIN number last week and created an iBookstore account, but a week later I get an email that says

"

When reviewing your iBookstore application we had an issue verifying your U.S. Tax ID and legal entity name with the records at the IRS. You can reenter your information here.

Note that if you recently registered for a U.S. Tax ID, it can take time for it to become part of the IRS database records even though it has been issued to you for use. We cannot validate your U.S. Tax ID information until it is in the IRS database records. "

Anyone know how long it takes from the person giving me the EIN number on the phone till it is in the IRS database records?

Posted on Feb 16, 2012 5:20 AM

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Answer 1

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Feb 16, 2012 7:56 AM in response to JoeScrivens

Can be one to two weeks from anecdotal reports...

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Answer 2

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 16, 2012 8:32 AM in response to K T

is there a way of finding out when it is active? a web check or something?

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Answer 3

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Feb 16, 2012 8:54 AM in response to JoeScrivens

It's active in your case when Apple's systems can sniff it out. There is no way to tell that until Apple's process kicks over and you receive approval.

Keep checking, but remember that hordes of others are doing the same thing... Be patient.

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Answer 4

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 16, 2012 10:37 AM in response to K T

i see, the problem is, that in order for them to check my status again i have to renenter the number, I don't want to keep re-entering the number for them to keep telling me its not working as its a waste of both our times.

I wonder instead if there is a way to check the irs database myself and see when my number becomes active then submit again

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Answer 5

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Feb 16, 2012 11:16 AM in response to JoeScrivens

Again, just because the govts. db is ready doesn't mean Apple has cycled that info into it's system - even if you know it's ready, that doesn't help you - you still have to check if Apple is ready with it for your needs. We have no way to pushing that particular part of the process.

I know you are anxious, but as w/all Apple programs, patience is key, never make plans until an item is in the store. You assume once the process catches up your book will saildthru....that could be true or not. Pls. stop pounding on the system and be patient 🙂 - work on your book's content to be sure it is as good as it can be or start another.

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Answer 6

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 17, 2012 5:38 AM in response to K T

The pounding on the system is exactly what I want to avoid. Thats why I don't want to keep trying to resend the data.

Patience wont help me here as the ball is now in my court, not theirs, I'm not waiting for Apple to do anything. My approval process is now halted until my EIN number is in the system, but apple aren't automatically checking it, they are waiting for me to resubmit my info. I don't want to resubmit my info and waste more of their time until i know my info is ready - it's a chicken and egg problem.

I found this site

http://www3.knightfoundation.org/apply/letter/ein_lookup.aspx

I guess when my EIN shows up in that search it will be in the IRS database

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Answer 7

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Feb 17, 2012 7:53 AM in response to JoeScrivens

As long as you're not checking every 5 minutes, you're not pounding on the system 🙂

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Answer 8

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

Feb 24, 2012 2:53 PM in response to JoeScrivens

got my apporval today, It was just less than two weeks that my EIN number found its way into the system, it was 11 days

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Answer 9

Mar 1, 2012 1:39 PM in response to JoeScrivens

I got my number Feb 8 and today received the 2nd rejection from Apple. Resubmitted...

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Answer 10

kamszot

Level 1

0 points

Mar 5, 2012 1:55 PM in response to JoeScrivens

I have the same problem. I got my EIN number 13th February and I am still waiting for verification.

Firstly I thought that it was my mistake during the registration in IRS process, but I called on the Telephone Service and got answer that everything is all right.

My 3 books are ready and only Apple is blocking me now.

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Answer 11

kamszot

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2012 2:43 AM in response to kamszot

And I have one question to you. If I am a sole proprietor the legal entity name should be 'Name Surname' or something another?

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Answer 12

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

Mar 8, 2012 3:34 AM in response to kamszot

i just put it as name and surname but you can do what you like

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Answer 13

Mar 8, 2012 2:06 PM in response to JoeScrivens

My approval came yesterday. The problem was I used my entity name when I should have just used my name. Got iTunes Producer, working on my package now.

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Answer 14

OisinOg

Level 1

9 points

May 11, 2012 11:01 AM in response to JoeScrivens

I have the same problem, only different - I was given an EIN by the IRS which has a hyphen in it, and the Apple form won't accept a number with a hyphen. I've had two back-and-forth conversations with the Apple help staff, who obviously do want to help, but also seem to wait something like 10 working days between each reply. All very odd.

Meanwhile, I've got a letter back from the IRS confirming that my number is active.

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Answer 15

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

May 11, 2012 1:26 PM in response to OisinOg

N/M

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