Report flags / W-2
NUMBERS“Employer ID number looks invalid”
What this flag on a W-2 means, why it matters, and what to check.
What it means
The EIN in box b doesn't have 9 digits or starts with a prefix the IRS has never issued.
Why it matters
A real employer files W-2s under a real EIN.
Ordinary explanations
- A misread digit in a blurry photo.
What to check
Confirm the employer exists and employed the applicant: look the company up yourself and call it. Ask the applicant for the IRS wage and income transcript (free at irs.gov or with Form 4506-T), which lists W-2 amounts as the employer reported them.
A flag is a reason to verify with the source, not proof. Apply the same steps to every applicant.
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