Forum Moderators: buckworks
You may want to call the U of T (using a contact number form their site) and find out their policy and exactly WHY need your tax ID.
Also, you can always get a TIN at no charge and use that instead of your SSN.
Many States require a separate tax ID for a business.
Call UT business office directly and ask them what their policies are. That should get you the information that you need.
Doing business with government can be a pain in the rear. And, they don't always pay their bills on time.
Doing business with government can be a pain in the rear. And, they don't always pay their bills on time.
True, but at least they ALWAYS end up paying. A former customer just went belly up earlier this week. Had they been a current customer we would have probably been screwed out of $40k+ (they were on terms). Sure, we have big government invoices that are at 60+ days right now, but I don't lose sleep over them not paying. Overall, we find government (and school) business very lucrative and devote people and resources to getting that business.
It's odd how the word travels around academic circles and I'm not exactly sure how it happens (we've asked, but get different answers). For example, we had a high school purchase a couple items from us about a year ago. Small order (about $300.00) but they needed to be billed on Net 30. No problem, we do it all the time. Since then we've received almost the exact same order from at least 40 different high schools around the country. I'm still not exactly sure how the word travels from California to New Jersey, but it does.
To the original poster question, it's not an odd request at all. We get that same request for tax ID several times each week. If you want their business you will have to comply. If you incorporate you can get a federal tax ID and avoid giving the SSN.
My tax ID number would just be my Social Security number and I don't especially want to give that out.
Obviously you should talk to your lawyer about your own unique situation as WebmasterWorld is not the right place to get legal advice. :)
On a side note, verify this situation is legit. As others have mentioned word about good vendors spreads quickly through the academic community. Just like many of us have our own niche websites the same is true for teachers and professors. No doubt they share information about who's good and whom to stay away from.
Good luck and I hope things work out well for you! :)
True, but at least they ALWAYS end up paying.
I am aware of a western US State Department of Corrections that local merchants will ONLY deal with on a cash basis.
How's that for irony?
There's too much going on (including phishing, which is not impossible on the phone) to give out sensitive information over the phone without verification of the source. And it's unlikely that a uni or gov agency would operate without a written alternative for submitting sensitive information.
That's why you initiate the call to the business office to gain clarity about the school's policies. The number is publicly accessible.
It is not unlikely that the uni has a form (in quadruplicate, or more) that needs to be completed and sent in. It is govt. after all...
You usually submit a W9 to the requester as well:
[irs.gov...]
I think email attachment of a filled out W9 is fast, accurate, and secure. Fax is okay, but you should inquire if it is private or shared.
If they don't have this form, they would have to whithold 30% for the IRS.
Does anyone know how long it takes to get a TIN? Once I get it, I can give it out freely right? It's not sensitive information is it?
Would I submit that W9 to the university or to the government? Does that form get me a TIN or do I use it if someone wants my TIN?
It's not sensitive information is it?
No, it is not sensitive. Companies freely give it out. We have a field on our check out for the Tax ID number, we need it for the purchase of very large and expensive equipment, so it is an optional field. Companies provide the TIN all the time when they don't even have to.
Like somebody else mentioned, form a corporation before something goes wrong and your personal assets are at risk.
As far as they are concerned, your SS# is whatever you say it is.
In some cases, it *IS* illegal to not provide your SSN. Whether or not this is one of those cases, it boils down to a simple matter of no SSN = no purchases from them.
[edited by: LifeinAsia at 6:59 pm (utc) on Feb. 14, 2008]
