Understanding EINs for Sierra's Dialer Business Information
What is an EIN?
EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to businesses for tax purposes. Think of it as a Social Security Number (SSN) for a business. It allows the IRS to identify and tax businesses accordingly.
Why Do I Need My EIN for Sierra?
Your Sierra Dialer is how you will call, text, and send ringless voicemail messages to leads in your CRM. If you use Sierra's Action Plan feature, you will need your EIN to set up Sierra's Dialer for you and your team.
Sierra's Dialer allows you to make and receive phone calls, as well as send and receive text messages with your leads. To activate your Sierra Dialer, a copy of your EIN letter is required for verification.
Providing this business information will help prevent increased text message undeliverability – that is, undeliverability at the cell carrier level – from your Sierra Dialer numbers going forward.
Additionally, your EIN will also be used for verification and regulatory compliance.
Verification: Service providers might want to ensure they're dealing with a legitimate business entity, not an individual or potentially fraudulent entity.
Regulatory compliance: Telecommunication regulations might require certain information from businesses that engage in automated dialing, to prevent fraud and protect consumers.
Finding Your EIN
If a real estate business has previously obtained an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), there are several methods to locate or recover it:
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Tax Return: The easiest way to find an EIN is to look at the business's tax return. The EIN should be prominently displayed on the first page.
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Original EIN Confirmation Letter: When the IRS issues an EIN, they send a confirmation letter to the business. This letter contains the EIN. It's essential to keep this document safe, but if you can locate it, your EIN will be there.
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Bank or Financial Institution: If the business opened a bank account or obtained a loan using its EIN, the bank or financial institution would have it on record. Contacting them and verifying your identity might allow them to provide you with the EIN.
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Business Licenses or Permits: If the business applied for any licenses or permits, it's likely that the EIN was used. Check those documents.
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Contact the IRS: If all else fails, you can call the IRS's Business & Specialty Tax Line at (800) 829-4933. After verifying your identity, they can provide you with the EIN. Note that hold times can be long, especially during peak tax seasons.
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Ask Your Accountant or Tax Preparer: If you have someone who manages your finances or prepares your taxes, they would likely have access to the EIN.
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Check Previous Correspondences: Any official correspondence from the IRS regarding your business will likely have the EIN mentioned. This includes notices, statements, or other official documents.
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Online Accounts with the IRS: If the business has an online account set up with the IRS, the EIN might be accessible there.
Important: An EIN is a sensitive piece of information. While it's not as confidential as a Social Security Number, it can still be used for fraudulent activities. Always be cautious about where and with whom you share your EIN.
EIN example
BN example (for Canadian clients)
I Have My EIN Verification Letter, Now What?
Once you've secured your EIN Verification Letter, please forward it to your dedicated Onboarding Specialist at Onboarding@SierraInteractive.com, and then proceed to finalize your Dialer setup by filling out the Dialer Business Information form.
Accuracy Is KEY
Ensuring the accuracy of your Dialer Business Information is crucial for a seamless and effective experience with Sierra Interactive's suite of tools. Inaccurate information can result in delays in your Business Profile and Campaign approval.
Secure EIN Submission
At Sierra Interactive, we understand the importance of secure and seamless integration of your business tools. To enable our state-of-the-art voice and text communication features for your real estate business, we require your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Rest assured, your security is our top priority.
What if I don't have an EIN?
If you do not currently have an EIN, creating one is free and easy. To create an EIN, or to learn more, VISIT THIS PAGE.
Do I need an EIN if I work in Canada?
Instead of using an EIN, Canadian clients will need their Canadian Business Number.
If you need assistance finding your Canadian Business Number CLICK HERE for help.
Additionally, you can use your brokerage's Canadian Business Number.
How do I know if I have my Canadian Business Number (CBN)?
HERE is an example of a Canadian Business Number (CBN). If your documentation matches this example, please upload it to our team for processing.
Sierra Customer Success
If you need any assistance, please contact our Support Team by completing THIS FORM.
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Learn how to leverage Sierra better or more efficiently on your own by accessing Sierra's e-resources found in Sierra Academy or our Knowledge Base.
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