When it comes to verifying business identities, many people confuse EIN Lookup (EIN Discovery) with TIN Matching. While both processes involve validating a company's tax identification information, they serve different purposes and are used in different compliance scenarios.
Understanding the key differences between these tools can help businesses improve data accuracy, reduce errors, and avoid IRS penalties. Below, we’ll break down when to use EIN Lookup and when to use TIN Matching.
EIN Lookup (EIN Discovery) allows businesses to find a company’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) by searching with the company’s legal name, or vice versa.
You have a company name but need to find its EIN.
You have an EIN but want to verify the correct company name.
You need to check business identity before processing transactions.
You want to reduce fraud and misreporting risks.
Pro Tip:
EIN Lookup is useful for verifying vendors, partners, or payees before making payments or filing tax forms.
TIN Matching verifies that a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and legal name combination matches IRS records.
You are filing 1099s, W-2s, or other IRS tax forms.
You want to avoid IRS Notice 972CG penalties for mismatched TINs.
You need to confirm payee identity before submitting tax forms.
You want to ensure compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Warning:
Filing tax forms with incorrect TIN/name combinations can result in IRS penalties.
| Feature | EIN Lookup (Discovery) | TIN Matching |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Find a company’s EIN or verify a company name | Confirm TIN & name match IRS records |
| Data Used | EIN or Company Name | TIN & Legal Name |
| Common Use | Vendor verification, business identity validation | IRS form filing, tax compliance |
| Avoids IRS Penalties | No | Yes |
| Best For | Identifying businesses | Ensuring accurate tax reporting |
Still not sure which to use?
If you need to identify a company, use EIN Lookup.
If you need to report payments to the IRS, use TIN Matching.
TIN Comply offers both EIN Lookup and TIN Matching in one seamless platform, allowing businesses to:
Find EINs by company name or verify company names by EIN.
Run real-time IRS TIN Matching to prevent penalties.
Ensure compliance when filing tax forms.
Automate validation using our API integration.
Stop guessing. Start verifying.
Streamline your TIN validation process.
Start Your Free Trial Today and discover how TIN Comply transforms your compliance workflow with real-time, automated TIN matching and so much more.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a tax or compliance professional for guidance tailored to your organization's specific needs.
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