Yes, you are correct, they are not the same, one applies to the individual the other when you meet specific rules by the IRS as your link points out. At one ti

Yes, you are correct, they are not the same, one applies to the individual the other when you meet specific rules by the IRS as your link points out. At one time I am almost positive the EIN field was required by Stripe (it is possible I confused it with Balanced or First Data) and for sole proprietors you were to use your SSN in that field. Effectively the field should have been labeled TIN if they were using it as a dual purpose field as the IRS uses TIN as the overall classification for SSN and EIN's (but again they usually provide two separate fields for them, just look at a W9). So I should have double checked the form before replying to make sure I didn't provide potentially inaccurate information. Glad you pointed it out. A quick double check on Stripe's FAQ just now shows this link, which says the EIN is optional: https://support.stripe.com/questions/sole-proprietor-without-federal-ein https://support.stripe.com/questions/sole-proprietor-without...