Stripe: Business Tax ID

When setting up your Stripe Merchant Account, you'll be asked to review your local group's legal name, EIN, and "doing business as name." 

Groupable will pre-fill this information with the information found in the Info/Officers screen—the records held by your Parent Group or grand Body.

Many Secretaries are surprised that groupable has pre-filled a Legal Business Name that doesn't match their commonly used name. The Legal Business Name is often the name of your chartering Grand Body, with a DBA of the local, commonly used name.

If Stripe reaches out to request an IRS 147C Document or SS-4 Letter to verify your Business Tax ID, please send us a message at support@groupable.com and we'll work with you and Stripe to ensure that you're set up correctly.

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Why is it necessary to enter the Legal Business Name?

As part of the Federal Banking Regulations, Stripe will check the Legal Name and EIN filed with the IRS. If you've entered a Legal Name that doesn't match what's on file with the IRS, your Merchant verification can be slowed down while Stripe attempts to collect proof of the business name that you provided. To ensure the fastest Merchant Approval, be sure to check this name in advance.

Here are three ways you can verify your Legal Business Name:

1. Your IRS-issued EIN Determination Letter,  (SS-4)
2. A replacement/copy IRS letter called a 147C,

Your IRS-issued EIN Determination Letter

Your local group should have a copy of your current EIN Determination Letter on file. If you do not have a copy, don't hesitate to contact your Grand Secretary's office for a copy of your EIN Determination Letter. 

This EIN Determination Letter should contain your EIN, Legal Business Name, and "doing business as" (DBA) name.

The 147C IRS Copy can be obtained by following the instructions found on the IRS.gov website:

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/lost-or-misplaced-your-ein 

Please contact your Grand Body Office should you require a 147C; they can assist you in making this call and verifying your EIN. Once verified, the IRS agent can fax a copy of the 147C directly to them and provide this information.

My Local is Currently Waiting on IRS Reinstatement

Please contact your Parent Group and support@groupable.com for specific instructions regarding your circumstances. You may still be able to open a Stripe Merchant Account and process online payments during this time.