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Inaccurate Request for SSN/TIN
Hello,
I received a notification that I needed to provide ebay with my SSN because my sales exceeded $600 for the year. They did not exceed $500. I believe the issue is that a buyer made an offer on a listing but never paid. It's clear from my transaction history, it was never sold. eBay is also holding my last sale until I give them the information, though they have no legal requirement to ask for it.
I've looked everywhere for a customer service number or email but can only find FAQ's, none of which address this issue. I am not going to have ebay send me a form stating I sold an inaccurate amount. Frankly, I also don't want the IRS involved at all in my petty used goods sales.
Has anyone had experience in this area?
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoIt seems like a lot of sellers don't want the IRS to know about the extra income they don't want to report.
If you want paid, you'll have to provide your SSN or wait until the funds are sent to your states unclaimed property.
Then you can get it from them and you'll probably have to give your SSN anyway.
joter163
OP3 years agoThat's a broad statement and does not apply. I did not earn income from eBay--my kids sold their used junk and I got negative earnings on it. It's not taxable income. I would have no problem giving my SSN if it was explained and requested when I setup my account. I've done this for sites like Etsy (where it is actually income). I went through verification early on. I don't meet the threshold (the reason they put me on hold) and they won't remove the flag despite validating it because of some "new" internal policy.
If you are ok with giving out one of the most personal pieces of information, at the request of a company acknowledging they didn't need it for the stated reason, go right ahead.
I posted this asking for help, not for a bunch of comments telling me to "just do what they say". I was unaware the eBay community was filled with sheep.
evry1nositswindy
Mentor3 years agoFederal law requires that eBay and all online payment processors collect the social security number of those receiving payments. It is mandated, not optional. As for unpaid sales, the were still sales. eBay is required to report your gross sales. Using a schedule c, you will come up with the net.
joter163
OP3 years agoNo, Federal Law requires it for sales $600 or more. I am not even at $500 with the bogus sale that did not occur. This is a company applying a blanket process with no evident pathway to have someone with a brain realize the request is unwarranted.
wooden_flower
Mentor3 years agoApproaching $600 is enough for eBay to start the request process. It is a major pain to issue the documents without SSNs.
It is much easier to stop you from reaching $600 if you decline to comply than to hassle with trying to get your compliance after you pass $600.
joter163
OP3 years agoIn essence your saying that since it's easier for eBay to hold my payout hostage, so that they can try and enforce a law that they acknowledged does not apply to me, then it should be acceptable.
It's not.
I spoke with eBay customer service and they confirmed I did not meet the threshold. They also confirmed that the law has changed and it's now $20,000 threshold. They then told me as a general rule, they are now requiring SSN for everyone to "verify my identity". They won't send it in writing and instructed me to view their terms and conditions.
This is literally robbery. I trust a platform to facilitate a sale. They allow the sale to go through and I ship my item. The. They make up a rule and do not payout what is due.
Solution: Forget about eBay.
wooden_flower
Mentor3 years agoOne correction - the law has not changed. The IRS just delayed the implementation to 2023. Since it is now 2023, eBay must prepare for 1099s for this year.
I don’t know why they just didn’t request SSN of everyone as soon as the $600 threshold passed in 2021. Life would be much easier now - it would have been part of your seller setup and you could have decided before selling anything if you were not going to comply.