SMS registration Sole Proprietorship question

Hi, I have a sole proprietorship as my business, and have registered with my town as such. I started the biz at the beginning of this year, so I have not filed income tax yet (that would be in 2025). As a sole proprietorship, my EIN would be my SS, but since I haven't filed with the IRS yet I don't have an IRS record. Do I need to wait until I file taxes in 2025 to be able to register my local number for SMS?

Or should I just drop the local number and get a toll-free number, where no EIN is required?

Thanks for any help you can give!

Andrea

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Accepted answers

KateG

Hi @AFease

Welcome to the Community.

According to the user guide, it appears: It is not currently possible for sole proprietor businesses without an EIN / business tax I.D. to register, but Grasshopper is actively working with its carrier to support that use case in the future.

So at this time you would need to wait unit you get an EIN/Business tax I.D. to register your local number.

All comments

AFease

@KateG

I tried and was rejected, but this was several months ago and I didn't have the opt-in language or privacy policy on my website. I suppose I could give it a try again, but since the IRS doesn't know about my DBA, I suspect it will still get rejected.

KateG

@AFease

I can't really speak to how EIN and filing taxes work, but if you are able to use your SS# as an EIN is seems like you should be able to register.

Reviewing the user guide, a legal business name, business information, and Tax ID Number/EIN, is what is needed and this must exactly match or the application will be rejected (and a $15 fee applies). Have you tried registering the company as a brand?

AFease

Thank you @KateG !

So since my EIN is my SS#, as I am DBA, will I be able to register next year after I file my taxes and the IRS knows about my sole proprietorship? Or can I not register at all until Grasshopper can find a solution for my use case? I really don't want to create an LLC, that would entail changing everything with my town, bank accounts, etc. and would be a major pain .

KateG

Hi @AFease

Welcome to the Community.

So at this time you would need to wait unit you get an EIN/Business tax I.D. to register your local number.