I recently had to apply for a Federal Identification Number (FIN, TPIN or EIN - they are all the same) from the IRS for my beloved mother-in-law’s estate. She died in NH on 3/16/11. The family was in grief. When we met with the estate attorney, he indicated that we needed to get a Federal Identification Number from the IRS for her estate since her social security number could no longer be used. Fortunately, I am a tax CPA and am familiar with this process. I know it can be obtained online immediately and it is free. Unfortunately, I was not in my office, had no assistant to help me and did not have my IRS practitioners number that would streamline the process. No big deal.
I got online and googled ‘Apply for Federal Identification Number from the IRS’ and immediately received several links of services available to assist me with obtaining a FIN for a fee. The first link would get me the FIN the same day for $150. I was stunned. I thought how many people are in our shoes,