Ebay Needs My SSN For 1099-K Issuance?

I starting selling on eBay last month after buying there for a number of years. Just got a message saying they need my SSN since they need to send out a 1099-K for 2022. I thought this had been delayed for at least a year and it's possible that Congress may raise the limit. I live in Arizona which, as far as I know, does not have the $600 requirement. Has anyone else gotten a similar message? I'm wondering if there's some reason why eBay is still planning to send out 1099-Ks. Thanks.

All that I can think of is that someone used your info to sell. I am a victim of ID theft and am aware of the BS that goes on. Just a possibility?

Without revealing any personal information, what did the message say exactly? It may be that the requirement to provide SSN in the event 1099-Ks are required is a universal requirement, even if the issuance of an actual 1099-K does not occur.

I had to provide my SSN to eBay several years ago, so I don't know who is actually receiving these messages now.

Have you checked the Community Forums at eBay in the Payment section to see if other sellers are aksing the same question?

I did check the Community Forums at eBay - lots of folks complaining about eBay delaying payouts, but no reference yet to SSNs being requested. The email I got today was as follows:

"As of Jan 1, 2022, the IRS now requires us to file and send a Form 1099-K to everyone who sells $600 or more.

Since you've made $600 or more in sales this year, we'll need your full 9-digit Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) to send you your 1099-K.

Please update your information so we can start sending your payouts and avoid other account restrictions."

I did an online chat with an agent and she was no help, not surprisingly. She is elevating it to her "team" wherever that will lead.

Did the message come from ebay through their message system within the ebay app? If not, it may be fishy.

I did check on my eBay page to make sure that the message was legit and it does indeed show up in my message center.

They do require your tax id number normally if you are a seller.

I've never gotten a 1099 from eBay because I've always stayed a bit short of the $20k threshold that's been in place for a number of years. However, I did have to provide them my SSN when they switched over to managed payments; this was for them to have on file if I ever did cross that threshold. It's possible that's really all they need it for.

Any chance you crossed $20k? If so, you'll be getting a 1099 and not much you can do about it. Assuming you're under $20k, you shouldn't be getting one, at least for federal purposes.

A 1099-K cannot be issued without a SS# or other tax ID# to allow the IRS to properly tie the form to the taxpayer. Now while there has been some delay in including the 1099-K in your Tax Year 2022 filing, the plan is for the entities to send out the 1099-Ks as a way to help you, the taxpayer, understand this new process and what is ahead.

Now anything you do sell nor is to be included in the 2023 Tax Year 1099-K and that tax year started 1-1-2023 with the $600 limit in place. It may be changed but it is not yet changed.

And yes, for the several 1099 flavor forms I issue, I need a S/S# so the taxpayer gets appropriate credit.

Yes these third party providers should not lose you tax info nor publish it, but there is to promise, even the Federal Government makes mistakes, for example the release of S/S#s for persons and their friends and/or family members associated with the 1-6-2021 inquiry as well as leaks of selected high income individuals directly for the IRS.

I agree with PP, some 1099-K forms are being sent as 'practice' and a SS number would be required.

That said, eBay would not simply sent you an email but also send it through their own 'message' system. I would never reply to, or click on any links, in an email like this sent through the normal email system. Log into your eBay account, check your messages, and only reply through it if it is there. Otherwise, I would ignore and delete the email.
Don

I believe there is a second reason ebay has been asking for SSN numbers in the last several months (I recall this coming up not too long ago), which is that they are needed for/from payments processors.

Do nothing by e-mail. SS# requests or Fed ID# requests for 1099s are requested by mail not e-mail. It sounds totally phony. I agree 110% with Don and others; best to contact your Ebay rep directly and have them send the request to you in hard copy written form, by U.S. snail mail.

Thanks for all the comments. As I noted above, the message came through the eBay system also, as well as an email to me. So I am assuming it's legit; just waiting for feedback from eBay as to why they need it now.